MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: July 22, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

Red Sox Extend Historic Win Streak, Guardians Unleash Power

The Boston Red Sox to an incredible 14 games, defeating Baltimore thanks to Caleb Durbin's clutch eighth-inning home run. This marks the second-longest winning streak in club history and puts them on the radar as contenders for the 2026 World Series. Sunday, they secured their 13th consecutive victory with a 6-1 win over the Rays, powered by Willson Contreras' two-run homer and a solid outing from Sonny Gray. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians hammered the Twins with seven home runs in a dominant 13-4 rout, showcasing unexpected power after previously ranking among the league's bottom teams in long balls.

Injury Bug Bites Multiple Teams, Notable Players on IL

Several teams are grappling with significant injuries as the season progresses. The Texas Rangers, Josh Jung, due to left calf tightness. In a concerning development for the Rangers' future, third-round draft pick Brody Bumila after his fastball was clocked over 100 mph. The Oakland Athletics placed rookie infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer on the injured list following emergency surgery for a ruptured testicle sustained from a foul ball. The White Sox are facing a long absence for catcher Kyle Teel, who with a high ankle sprain. Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty was placed on the 15-day injured list with right flexor inflammation. Cubs reliever Trent Thornton is considered day-to-day with a bruised left heel, though he avoided a fracture thanks to his cleats. The Miami Marlins with a neck strain. Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman was also placed on the 10-day injured list with left wrist inflammation.

Key Player Updates and Milestone Achievements

In player news, Nolan Arenado, becoming the sixth active player to record 2,000 career hits. The New York Mets activated outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list after nearly three months away with a back issue returning to the lineup. The Minnesota Twins welcomed back All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton after a nine-game absence due to a hip strain, with Buxton currently sixth in the majors with 25 home runs. Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña returned to the lineup for Monday's series opener, while Christian Walker remained out of the starting lineup. Shohei Ohtani will not make his scheduled start against the Phillies due to left knee irritation, stalling his mound return facing discomfort.

Trade Deadline Buzz and Prospect Movement

The trade deadline is approaching, and teams are making moves. The Los Angeles Dodgers from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for two minor league players. The Cubs also bolstered their pitching staff by acquiring right-hander Aaron Civale from the Athletics. In prospect news, Kiley McDaniel's latest rankings reveal rising and falling prospects across all 30 farm systems following the MLB draft. Rintaro Sasaki is set to sign with the Miami Marlins, forgoing a professional career in Japan joining the organization.

Labor Discussions and League Initiatives

Discussions regarding the amateur draft are ongoing, with the MLBPA calling to preserve the current system after MLB proposed cutting the draft from 20 to 12 rounds and reducing amateur signing bonuses by over $150 million. A unique labor dynamic is highlighted by the underrepresentation of Latino players at the bargaining table in ongoing labor discussions addressing representation. In a special league event, the Twins and Phillies will feature throwback uniforms for the upcoming Field of Dreams game on August 13.

Notable Performances and Team Strategies

The Philadelphia Phillies suffered a tough 2-1 loss to the Dodgers, with J.T. Realmuto taking responsibility for a baserunning mistake that ended a potential rally costly mistake. In a surprising strategy, the Cincinnati Reds opted to intentionally load the bases to face Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who promptly hit a grand slam on the first pitch, leading to an 8-0 Mariners victory backfiring plan. The Pittsburgh Pirates saw their offense awaken against the Yankees, but tensions flared in the eighth inning, leading to a bench-clearing incident after Jose Caballero's actions sparking controversy.

Brewers Monitor Pitcher Workload, Cubs Player Avoids Serious Injury

The Milwaukee Brewers are carefully managing pitcher Jacob Misiorowski's workload after a layoff, with him throwing only four innings in his first start since July 7 monitoring usage. Meanwhile, Cubs reliever Trent Thornton is considered day-to-day after being struck by a comebacker, crediting his cleats for helping him.

Individual Power Displays and Rookie Success

Colorado Rockies' Hunter Goodman had his second three-homer game of the season on Sunday, breaking out of a slump and entering an exclusive club for Rockies hitters hitting for power. Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez continues to impress, becoming the fourth player in major league history with at least 12 homers and 31 RBIs in his first 31 games. Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin had a career-best 5-for-5 performance after returning from an oblique injury, including two home runs in his team's win making an impact.

Remembering a Legend

The baseball world mourns the loss of Duane Ward, a key reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series championship teams in the early 1990s, who.