MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: July 21, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

National League Powerhouses and Contenders

The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly exploring significant moves, potentially acquiring another ace pitcher before the trade deadline, while also adding depth by trading for Rockies reliever Seth Halvorsen adding depth. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies are preparing for a special Field of Dreams game on August 13th, featuring throwback uniforms preparing for a special game. The Atlanta Braves face rotation decisions, having optioned right-hander Owen Murphy to Triple-A. In a notable milestone, Nolan Arenado became the sixth active player to reach 2,000 career hits. The Milwaukee Brewers are monitoring pitcher Jacob Misiorowski's workload after a layoff, and Brandon Woodruff announced he will undergo another shoulder surgery.

American League Shakeups and Streaks

The Boston Red Sox continued their remarkable winning streak, extending it to 14 games with a victory fueled by Caleb Durbin's clutch homer, and later to 13 games with a win over the Rays. The Baltimore Orioles secured a significant extension for pitcher Kyle Bradish, agreeing to a $90 million, five-year deal, though they also placed catcher Adley Rutschman on the injured list with wrist inflammation. The Detroit Tigers are focused on winning July games to retain ace Tarik Skubal. In Cleveland, the Guardians hammered seven home runs in a commanding 13-4 rout of the Twins. The Minnesota Twins activated Byron Buxton after a nine-game absence due to a hip strain.

Player News and Injury Updates

Several key players are dealing with injuries or returning to action. White Sox catcher Kyle Teel is likely headed to the injured list with an ankle injury. Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. exited a game with back tightness. Marlins All-Star right-hander Max Meyer was placed on the injured list with a neck strain, and Otto Lopez was out of the lineup placed on IL. Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has been activated from the injured list after nearly three months away with a back issue. Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña returned to the lineup, while Christian Walker remained out of the starting lineup back in lineup. Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is still recovering from a fractured rib and will require another scan, leading to his placement on the 60-day injured list. Shohei Ohtani received a lubricant injection in his left knee and will not make his scheduled start against the Phillies.

Prospects, Transactions, and Milestones

The landscape of top prospects is being reshaped, with Kiley McDaniel providing updated rankings for all 30 teams. The Cubs acquired right-hander Aaron Civale from the Athletics in a trade acquired right-hander. The Reds made a significant investment, signing starter Chase Burns to a seven-year, $105 million contract. Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez continues to impress, already hitting 12 home runs in 31 games. Hunter Goodman of the Rockies had his second three-homer game of the season. Rintaro Sasaki will join the Miami Marlins, forgoing a professional career in Japan. Pirates pitcher Jared Jones' streak of 30 straight retired batters ended.

League Transactions and Notable Events

The Reds' strategy to load the bases against a struggling Cal Raleigh backfired spectacularly when Raleigh hit a grand slam on the first pitch, leading to an 8-0 Mariners victory. The New York Yankees' offense broke out with eight runs against the Pirates, though a confrontation in the eighth inning led to benches clearing offense awoke. A moment of baseball history was honored as the Cubs unveiled Champions Gate for their 2016 World Series team, with former player Anthony Rizzo even catching a home run ball from the bleachers. The league is also dealing with labor discussions, with a report indicating the Mets are compliant regarding AI usage, and a labor dispute loomed over the All-Star week festivities. The game between the Pirates and Guardians in Cleveland was postponed due to concerns over air quality from wildfire smoke. The passing of Duane Ward, a key reliever for the Blue Jays' World Series teams, was announced.