MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: August 16, 2026, 7:24 AM ET

Rehab Updates

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge took another step toward his return from a broken right rib by playing catch and running in New York on Friday, marking his first throwing session since going on the injured list. Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani threw a 35-pitch bullpen session that left manager Dave Roberts feeling "pretty confident" about his return to the mound this season, signaling progress in his own comeback timeline. Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida exited Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with left hamstring tightness, adding to Boston's injury concerns. Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list after leaving Thursday's game following a collision with Yankees rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. at third base, an incident that prompted an evaluation for a concussion.

Pitching Performances

Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski showcased more than his dominant fastball, relying on an effective slider to escape a bases-loaded jam and help Milwaukee secure a win over the Dodgers, stifling Shohei Ohtani and his teammates. Nationals starter Cade Cavalli carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before settling for a 7-0 victory over the Cubs, helping Washington avoid a three-game sweep. Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom exited his start against the Angels after just two innings due to right triceps fatigue, dealing another blow to Texas' already-thin rotation. Mariners rookie shortstop Colt Emerson, hitting .190 with 23 RBIs in 69 games, will reportedly be optioned to Triple-A Tacoma before Friday's game against Houston as the organization looks to get him additional development time.

Historic Moments

Cardinals rookie outfielder Joshua Baez etched his name into the record books by becoming the first player in MLB history to homer in each of his first three plate appearances during his major league debut on Saturday, a "crazy" and historic feat that electrified St. Louis fans. The Cleveland Guardians reached a milestone all their own, becoming the third American League franchise to record 10,000 victories thanks to a 6-1 win over the San Diego Padres at Progressive Field, a testament to an organization founded in 1901 that has endured through more than a century of baseball history. Kyle Schwarber continued his power surge by launching two home runs into the corn at the Field of Dreams movie site in Iowa, stretching his major-league-leading total to 37 as the Phillies defeated the Twins 7-1 in a game that blended nostalgia with modern slugging.

Injury Reports

The Brewers placed reliever Abner Uribe on the 15-day injured list due to a forearm flexor strain, further depleting a bullpen that has already been stretched thin by injuries throughout the season. Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzalez suffered a facial contusion after being struck on the helmet by a pitch in the fifth inning against the Red Sox, leaving him day-to-day with the scary but ultimately non-serious injury. Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte will be day-to-day after leaving Arizona's 2-0 win against Atlanta with left knee soreness, casting doubt over his availability for the upcoming series. Athletics reliever Justin Sterner underwent right knee surgery in Los Angeles on Thursday and will miss the remainder of the season, a significant loss for Oakland's bullpen as they navigate a rebuild. Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list on Wednesday, with the organization recalling infield prospect Adan Estevez to provide infield depth while Karros recovers.

Standings & Rankings

For the first time in nearly two months, the Dodgers fell from the top spot in ESPN's MLB Power Rankings as the Brewers claimed the No. 1 position, reflecting Milwaukee's strong play and Los Angeles' recent struggles. Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, an NL All-Star starter this season, is transitioning from shortstop to second base in a move that manager Dave Martinez described as "the best thing for our team " potentially reshaping the infield alignment as Washington evaluates its long-term options. Paul Skenes, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, was lifted after just 65 pitches in Tuesday's loss to the Marlins amid another dip in his fastball velocity, fueling speculation about the health status of one of the sport's most promising young arms.

Front Office Moves

The Milwaukee Brewers bolstered their struggling infield by trading for the Athletics' Jonathan Ornelas on Saturday, acquiring the infielder to provide depth and competition at second and short. The Blue Jays continued to add to their pitching staff by claiming veteran right-hander Paul Sewald off waivers after he was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks, bringing major league experience to a bullpen that has been inconsistent all season. Red Sox manager Alex Cora made the difficult decision to place reliever Garrett Whitlock on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, recalling right-hander Greg Weissert from Triple-A Worcester to provide additional bullpen flexibility.

Upcoming Events

San Francisco will host the 2028 MLB All-Star Game at Oracle Park, a venue that last welcomed the Midsummer Classic in 2007, giving Giants fans a marquee event to look forward to as the franchise continues its rebuild. The Field of Dreams game lived up to its cinematic legacy with 26 members of the Hall of Fame emerging from the outfield corn just as the ghost players did in the movie, creating a memorable pageantry that preceded Kyle Schwarber's two-homer performance and the Phillies' 7-1 victory over the Twins. Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, who missed 14 games with a right hip injury, has been activated off the IL prior to Thursday's Field of Dreams game against the Phillies, returning to provide his trademark speed and defense in center field.

Remembering the Past

Butch Huskey, who played seven major league seasons and was one of the last players to wear No. 42 before it was permanently retired across baseball, has died at the age of, leaving behind a legacy that spans the transition from the Mets' organization to the broader story of Jackie Robinson Day becoming a universal tradition. As another lockout looms over Major League Baseball, analysts are revisiting the lessons from the 1994 MLB strike, examining what was lost during that prolonged work stoppage and drawing parallels to the potential implications for the 2027 season and beyond. The alternate history explored in comparing the 1994 strike's losses to 2027 suggests that baseball's labor battles continue to echo through decades, shaping not just schedules and payrolls but the very fabric of how fans experience America's pastime.

Rising and Falling Prospects

With the trade deadline having passed, Kiley McDaniel and the ESPN team dug into the updated top 10 prospect rankings for all 30 MLB teams, identifying which prospects are rising within their respective farm systems and which are falling out of favor as organizations look toward the future. The Brewers' aggressive pursuit of infield help through the Jonathan Ornelas trade reflects their belief that prospects like Jackson Chourio and Jackson Merrill are ready to contribute at the major league level sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, the Athletics' willingness to part with Ornelas suggests they are looking to accumulate additional draft capital and international bonus pool space as they continue their rebuild under Billy Beane's successor.

Closer Drama

Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz blew his third save in his past four chances Thursday night, yet manager Dave Roberts affirmed that he would stick with Diaz as the team's closer, lamenting that the organization lacks better options at the back end of the bullpen. The decision underscores the pressure on Diaz to rebound from his struggles, particularly as the Dodgers remain in contention in the NL West race where every game carries increased weight. Alex Bregman's first three-homer game continued his torrid stretch at the plate, driving in a career-high seven runs as the Cubs routed the Nationals 12-6 on Wednesday night, providing a bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent season for Chicago's offense.

Managerial Decisions

Dave Roberts' handling of both the Ohtani return timeline and the Edwin Diaz closer situation highlights the delicate balance managers must strike between supporting struggling players and making tough decisions that could affect playoff positioning. The Nationals' decision to move CJ Abrams from shortstop to second base represents a significant shift in defensive positioning, with Martinez betting that Abrams' bat and arm strength are better suited for second base than his range at short. Similarly, the Rockies' placement of Kyle Karros on the concussion IL and subsequent recall of Adan Estevez shows how teams must adapt mid-series when injuries force unexpected roster moves.

As the final week of August approaches, teams are jockeying for position in both divisions and the newly-expanded playoff format, with the Brewers' rise to the top of the power rankings reflecting their belief that they can compete with anyone when their starting pitching and bullpen are clicking. The Guardians' 10,000-win milestone serves as a reminder that sustained success in baseball requires not just star players but organizational consistency across decades, a lesson that resonates with teams like the Dodgers and Yankees as they navigate their own championship windows. With prospects continuing to make their mark and veterans working through injuries, the final two months of the regular season promise to deliver drama, excitement, and perhaps a few more historic moments as baseball heads toward October.