MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: August 20, 2026, 5:55 PM ET

Power Rankings & Standings

The Atlanta Braves have climbed to No. 3 in ESPN's latest MLB power rankings, jumping past the Tampa Bay Rays as the National League continues to dominate the top 10 spots. The Milwaukee Brewers, meanwhile, sit atop baseball with the best record, though manager Pat Murphy insists his club hasn't necessarily played great baseball despite their success. The Brewers' dominance was on full display over the weekend when they tied the modern-era record for the largest shutout in a 22-0 rout of the Seattle Mariners, featuring three-run homers from Christian Yelich, David Hamilton, and Luis Lara.

Prospects & Draft Impact

With the draft and trade season now behind us, ESPN's updated top 100 MLB prospect rankings reveal several players who have surged up the list, reflecting their recent performances and organizational evaluations. The rankings provide a window into which future stars are closest to making their major league impact.

Injuries & IL Moves

The injury report continues to pile up across MLB, with several key players landing on the injured list. The Mets placed shortstop Jorge Polanco on the 10-day IL with left ankle bursitis, effectively ending his challenging first season with the team, and he's scheduled for ankle surgery. The Yankees activated Carlos Rodon for their game against the Orioles while simultaneously placing starter Max Fried on the 15-day IL with a left elbow bruise. The Athletics activated lefty Jeffrey Springs from the 15-day injured list after he recovered from an injured right hip, and he started against Kansas City. The Dodgers placed Edwin Diaz on the injured list due to inflammation in the right side of his neck, dealing another blow to their bullpen after his 11.85 ERA in 16 games this season. The Cubs will be without shortstop Dansby Swanson for at least four weeks after he suffered a left oblique strain.

Comebacks & Returns

Several players are making their way back from injuries. The Orioles activated catcher Samuel Basallo from the injured list before their game against the Yankees, providing a boost to their catching corps. Outfielder Cody Bellinger of the Yankees is nearing a rehab assignment and could begin his rehab stint with Triple-A Scranton as early as Thursday. Orioles reliever Félix Bautista and utility player Blaze Alexander are also approaching rehab assignments by the end of the week, according to the club's weekly injury report.

Pitching Performances

Jacob de Grom is working toward a milestone that would make him the second-fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 2,000 career strikeouts. He's scheduled to start Thursday night for the Rangers against Washington, which would be his first start since exiting early against the Angels a week ago due to right side tightness. The Nationals' Cade Cavalli followed up his near-no-hitter with another strong outing, striking out 11 batters in six scoreless innings during Washington's 6-0 win over the Rangers. Pirates ace Paul Skenes is dealing with a rough patch, as his ERA climbed to 3.95 after a rocky outing, more than double his career mark of 1.96 from earlier in the season.

Offensive Highlights

Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered one of the most memorable individual performances of the week, robbing Francisco Lindor of a grand slam with a spectacular catch over the right-field wall and then hitting two home runs to lead the Padres to a 5-2 victory over the Mets. Pete Crow-Armstrong continued his push for NL MVP consideration by launching two home runs—a leadoff blast and a walk-off shot—as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Chicago White Sox 7-5 in 10 innings at Wrigley Field. The Cubs' walk-off victory marked PCA's first career walk-off hit. Elly De La Cruz provided his own dramatic moment with his first career walk-off hit in the 10th inning, helping the Cincinnati Reds rally past the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 after Dane Myers hit a tying pinch-hit homer in the ninth. Jo Adell put together a career night for the Guardians with a 455-foot three-run homer and six RBIs before leaving Cleveland's 8-1 victory over the Giants due to a knee injury.

Transactions & Moves

The Pirates bolstered their catching depth by acquiring veteran Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees for cash considerations. The Rockies made a significant change to their rotation, designating starter Michael Lorenzen for assignment after a difficult season in which he went 3-11 with a 7.08 ERA. The Diamondbacks placed All-Star infielder Ketel Marte on the restricted list after he failed to show up for Monday night's game against the Red Sox.

Retirements & Milestones

Cancer survivor Trey Mancini announced his retirement after a brief return to the Angels organization. Mancini's journey included overcoming colon cancer and making a successful return to Major League Baseball before deciding to hang up his cleats.

Technology & Fan Experience

The Orioles voiced their frustration with MLB's technology after Pete Alonso's deep fly ball to left field was ruled foul and the call was upheld on review during their game against the Yankees. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the accuracy of ballpark technology. Meanwhile, MLB is turning up the volume at ballparks across the league, making games noisier than ever by design to enhance the fan experience.

Ownership & Business

In a major business move, MLB team owners unanimously approved the sale of the Padres to an investor group led by private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife and business partner, Kwanza Jones, in a deal valued at $3.9 billion.

Historical Context

Never-before-seen footage has emerged showing a debate between Hall of Famer Ted Williams and a teammate about hitting philosophy, with modern MLB stars weighing in on how those principles hold up in today's game. The Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, drew 1.66 million viewers on Netflix, marking MLB's return to the iconic movie site in four years.

The NL MVP race is heating up, with Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong emerging as the primary contenders. MLB players have weighed in on the tightening race, with many expressing admiration for both candidates' performances. Ohtani recently jolted the Dodgers' offense with two home runs while reporting that his knee feels good after his most recent bullpen session. The Dodgers are monitoring both their star player's health and their bullpen situation carefully as the season progresses.

Rookie Impact

Mets rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing are making their presence felt on the defensive end, combining to throw out three runners at home plate in the first two innings of their recent game. Benge alone threw out two runners at home, showcasing the arm strength and accuracy that made him a standout prospect. These young players are contributing to the competitive balance across the league as teams jockey for playoff positioning.