MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: August 20, 2026, 6:48 AM ET

Injuries & Roster Moves

The Pirates are managing their ace carefully after Paul Skenes struggled through his worst start of the season, with his ERA climbing to 3.95 following a rough outing that more than doubled his season mark. To provide extra rest, Pittsburgh has pushed Skenes' next scheduled start back three days as the young pitcher works through what the organization calls the toughest stretch of his major league career. The team also bolstered its catching corps by acquiring veteran Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees for cash considerations. Meanwhile, the Athletics activated lefty Jeffrey Springs from the 15-day injured list after he recovered from an injured right hip, with plans to start him against Kansas City. The Dodgers placed Edwin Diaz on the injured list due to right-sided inflammation, dealing a blow to their bullpen after a season where he posted an 11.85 ERA in 11 opportunities. Los Angeles also moved starter Justin Wrobleski to the injured list with forearm inflammation, while the Yankees activated Carlos Rodon and placed Max Fried on the 15-day IL with a left elbow bruise. The Athletics continued shuffling their lineup by placing Tyler Soderstrom on the 10-day IL, adding to an already thin roster missing Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers. The Cubs received concerning news as shortstop Dansby Swanson will miss at least four weeks with a left oblique strain, a significant loss for Chicago's infield. The Diamondbacks took disciplinary action by placing Ketel Marte on the restricted list after the All-Star infielder failed to show up for a game against the Red Sox.

Pitching Performances

Jacob deGrom remains on track for another milestone opportunity, with the Rangers right-hander set to take the mound Thursday night in his pursuit of becoming the second-fastest pitcher to reach 2,000 career strikeouts. DeGrom checked out of a recent bullpen session without incident, making his return plausible just one week after exiting early against the Angels due to right forearm tightness. Across the diamond, Cade Cavalli delivered a dominant follow-up to his near-no-hitter, striking out 11 batters in six scoreless innings to lead the Nationals to a 6-0 victory over the Rangers. The Royals' Noah Cameron threw a complete-game one-hitter against the Angels, maintaining his composure after losing his no-hitter bid in the seventh inning and finishing strong through the final pitch. The Mets' rookie outfielders made headlines defensively, with Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing combining to throw out three runners at home plate in the first two innings of their game against the Padres.

Offensive Highlights

The Brewers tied the modern-era record for the largest shutout with a dominant 22-0 rout of the Mariners, fueled by a power surge that included three-run homers from Christian Yelich, David Hamilton, and Luis Lara, along with a two-run shot from another contributor. Cody Bellinger is nearing a rehab assignment, with Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicating the outfielder could begin his return process with Triple-A Scranton as early as Thursday. The Padres celebrated a thrilling victory behind Fernando Tatis Jr., who robbed Francisco Lindor of a grand slam with a spectacular catch and added two home runs to secure a 5-2 win. In Chicago, Pete Crow-Armstrong etched his name into franchise history by becoming the first Cub since 2010 to hit both a leadoff home run and a walk-off blast in the same game, leading the Cubs to a 7-5, 10-inning victory over their crosstown rivals. Elly De La Cruz provided drama of his own, delivering his first career walk-off hit in the 10th inning after Dane Myers tied the game with a pinch-hit homer in the ninth, lifting the Reds past the Cardinals 6-5. The Guardians' Jo Adell enjoyed a career night with a 455-foot three-run homer and six RBIs before exiting early due to a knee injury during Cleveland's 8-1 win over the Giants.

Managerial Moves & Commentary

Pat Murphy continues to downplay the Brewers' success despite their MLB-best record and apparent path toward an eighth playoff berth in nine seasons, insisting his club hasn't played great baseball yet. The Orioles voiced frustration with MLB's technology after Pete Alonso's deep fly ball to left field was ruled foul and the call was upheld upon review, prompting criticism that the league lags behind in automated strike zone implementation. Dave Roberts openly criticized his Dodgers squad after a 6-2 loss to the Brewers cost Los Angeles a crucial tiebreaker in the race for home-field advantage, calling out both the team's offensive and defensive struggles. The Orioles also provided updates on their injury situation, with Félix Bautista and Blaze Alexander potentially beginning rehab assignments by week's end.

Historical Context & Media Coverage

MLB's first Field of Dreams game in four years, played in Dyersville, Iowa, averaged 1.66 million viewers on Netflix, offering fans a nostalgic return to the iconic movie site. The league is also turning up the volume at ballparks nationwide, with teams intentionally increasing ambient noise levels to enhance the fan experience and create more energy during games. A recent deep-dive into baseball history revealed previously unseen footage of Ted Williams debating his hitting philosophy with a Hall of Fame teammate, with modern players weighing in on how those timeless principles apply to today's game. The Cubs-White Sox rivalry remains compelling, with analysts suggesting that an all-Chicago World Series, while historically unlikely, represents the best opportunity for such a matchup since 1906.

Transaction Updates

The Orioles made several moves to shore up their roster, activating catcher Samuel Basallo from the injured list before their game against the Yankees. The Mets continued their injury carousel by placing Jorge Polanco on the 10-day IL, ending his challenging first season with the team as he prepares for left ankle surgery. The Rockies made a roster move to address their rotation struggles by designating Michael Lorenzen for assignment after a season in which he posted a 3-11 record with a 7.08 ERA. MLB owners unanimously approved the sale of the Padres for $3.9 billion to an investor group led by private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones, marking one of the most significant ownership transitions in recent memory.

MVP Race & Player Recognition

The National League MVP race is heating up, with Crow-Armstrong joining Shohei Ohtani as legitimate candidates according to recent polling of MLB players. Both stars have made compelling cases, though the competition remains tight as the season enters its final stretch. Players across the league weighed in on the matchup, offering insights into which candidate has impressed them most from the batter's box. Ohtani himself continues to make headlines, jolting the Dodgers' lineup with two home runs in a recent appearance while also confirming that his knee feels good following his latest bullpen session. The MVP conversation now includes multiple dimensions, as voters consider both traditional statistics and intangible contributions to team success.

As teams jockey for position in the final weeks of the regular season, every game carries added weight in determining playoff seeding. The Rangers will lean on de Grom's experience and strikeout prowess as they attempt to secure a postseason spot, while the Nationals hope Cavalli's dominant outing signals a turnaround for their young rotation. The Brewers' record-setting performance has solidified their status as World Series contenders, though Murphy's reluctance to declare his team elite may motivate opponents to overlook them. Meanwhile, the Dodgers face a critical stretch as they attempt to recover ground in the NL West and maintain their edge in the home-field advantage race. Fan engagement initiatives like the increased ballpark volume and the continued popularity of special events like the Field of Dreams game suggest that baseball's efforts to modernize while honoring its traditions are resonating with audiences both in-person and at home.