MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: July 20, 2026, 8:31 PM ET

Injury Updates and Roster Moves Rock MLB

The injury bug continued to bite around Major League Baseball, with several key players landing on the injured list. Marlins All-Star right-hander Max Meyer was placed on the 15-day IL with a neck strain placed on the 15-day IL. In Baltimore, All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman was sidelined with left wrist inflammation and moved to the 10-day injured list placed on the 10-day injured list. The Twins received a boost with the activation of All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton, who returns after a nine-game absence due to a right hip strain. The Mets, meanwhile, activated outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list after he missed nearly three months with a back issue. Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña returned to the lineup returned to the lineup, while first baseman Christian Walker remained out of the starting lineup for the second straight game. Orioles rookie catcher Samuel Basallo exited a game with right shoulder discomfort. Braves catcher Drake Baldwin returned from an oblique injury and had a career-best 5-for-5 performance, including two home runs homered twice.

Trade Deadline Buzz and Roster Shuffles

Teams began making moves as the trade deadline approaches. The Dodgers acquired right-hander Seth Halvorsen from the Rockies in exchange for two minor leaguers. The Cubs bolstered their pitching staff by acquiring right-hander Aaron Civale from the Athletics for minor league righty Aiden Moffett. The Braves optioned right-hander Owen Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett and selected the contract of veteran right-hander Elieser Hernández. Lance McCullers Jr., acquired by the Brewers in a trade, will begin in relief due to injuries to key members of the pitching staff. The Orioles also made a significant commitment, agreeing to a five-year, $90 million extension with starting pitcher Kyle Bradish agreed to a five-year extension.

Slugging Performances and Rookie Notables

Hunter Goodman of the Rockies had a standout performance, hitting his second three-homer game of the season. Pirates rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez continued his impressive start, becoming the fourth player in major league history with at least 12 homers and 31 RBIs in his first 31 games. Jared Jones of the Pirates saw his streak of 30 straight retired batters end streak ends.

Injuries and Player Health Concerns

Shohei Ohtani will not make his scheduled start against the Phillies due to irritation in his left knee. Manager Dave Roberts clarified that Ohtani received a lubricant injection in his left knee, not a fluid drainage. Yankees superstar Aaron Judge remains sidelined with a fractured rib and will need further scans before resuming baseball activities; he has been moved to the 60-day injured list. Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff is set for another shoulder surgery on his right shoulder.

Milestone Streaks and Memorable Moments

The Boston Red Sox extended their impressive winning streak to 13 games after a 6-1 victory over the Rays, with Willson Contreras contributing a two-run homer and Sonny Gray pitching effectively. Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez was activated from the injured list and rejoined the lineup was activated Saturday. Former Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, present for a ceremony honoring the 2016 World Series team, caught a home run hit by current Cubs first baseman Michael Busch from the bleachers.

Prospect Watch and Future Outlook

Rintaro Sasaki has announced he will sign with the Miami Marlins, forgoing a professional career in Japan will sign with the Miami Marlins. Kiley McDaniel provided an in-depth look at the top 10 prospect rankings for all 30 teams, detailing who is rising and falling in each farm system following the MLB draft. The second half of the MLB season is underway, with discussions about playoff odds and potential trade deadline moves.

Labor Discussions and League Matters

MLB labor disputes loomed over the season, even during All-Star week festivities. Reports indicated that the Mets are compliant with MLB regulations regarding artificial intelligence usage in games. A discussion highlighted the underrepresentation of Latino players among MLBPA player leadership in ongoing labor negotiations.

Notable Player Performances and Milestones

Rockies' Hunter Goodman recorded his second three-homer game of the season, joining an exclusive club for the franchise. Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez is off to a historic start, amassing 12 home runs and 31 RBIs in his first 31 games. Pirates right-hander Jared Jones' streak of 30 consecutive retired batters came to an end.

Transactions and Roster Moves

The Dodgers acquired reliever Seth Halvorsen from the Rockies for two minor league players. The Cubs acquired pitcher Aaron Civale from the Athletics in a trade. The Braves optioned pitcher Owen Murphy to Triple-A. The Orioles signed pitcher Kyle Bradish to a $90 million extension. The Reds signed pitcher Chase Burns to a seven-year, $105 million contract. The Rockies activated pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano off the IL. The Brewers acquired pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. McCullers begin.

Player Health and Injury Updates

Marlins pitcher Max Meyer was placed on the injured list with a neck strain. Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman was placed on the injured list with wrist inflammation. Twins outfielder Byron Buxton was activated after missing nine games with a hip strain. Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. was activated from the injured list after a lengthy absence due to back issues. Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña returned to the lineup. Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo left a game with shoulder discomfort. Braves catcher Drake Baldwin homered twice in a game after returning from injury. Shohei Ohtani will not pitch due to knee irritation. Ohtani received a lubricant injection in his knee. Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge remains sidelined with a fractured rib and has not been cleared for workouts. Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff is scheduled for more shoulder surgery.

Notable Performances and Streaks

The Boston Red Sox extended their winning streak to 13 games with a victory over the Rays. Rockies' Hunter Goodman hit three home runs in a game for the second time this season. Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez has 12 home runs and 31 RBIs in his first 31 games, a rare feat. Pirates pitcher Jared Jones retired 30 consecutive batters before his streak ended. Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez was activated and returned to the lineup.

League News and Special Events

The Field of Dreams game is set to return on August 13, with both the Twins and Phillies incorporating throwback uniforms. The Cubs unveiled Champions Gate to commemorate their 10-year World Series anniversary. Former Cubs player Anthony Rizzo was in attendance for the ceremony and caught a home run from the bleachers. The Pirates and Guardians game was postponed due to air quality concerns from wildfire smoke.

Prospect and Free Agent News

Rintaro Sasaki will sign with the Miami Marlins and forgo a professional career in Japan. An analysis of prospect rankings highlights rising and falling players in all 30 farm systems following the MLB draft. A look at fantasy baseball waiver wire targets identifies the hottest bats available.

Team Standings and Betting Insights

The second half of the MLB season is underway, with insights into playoff odds and betting trends. Bettors are flocking to the White Sox while abandoning the Mets, according to betting insights.

Player Development and Future Stars

The article "Top 10 prospect rankings for all 30 teams" offers a deep dive into the future stars of MLB, examining who is making strides in each organization's minor league system. Rintaro Sasaki's decision to join the Marlins signals a significant addition to their future plans.

Remembering Duane Ward

Duane Ward, a key reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series championship teams in the early 1990s, has passed away at the age of 62.