MLB Baseball 8 Hours

Last updated: April 17, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NL Central & NL East Turmoil

The Chicago Cubs placed closer Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain, compounding their pitching woes as starter Cade Horton simultaneously underwent his second career Tommy John surgery. Across the National League, the New York Mets continue their downward spiral, currently sitting on a nine-game losing streak, though team president David Stearns publicly affirmed his support for manager Carlos Mendoza amid the slide. These setbacks highlight the early season volatility in the NL Central and NL East divisions, where pitching health and managerial stability are now under intense scrutiny Mendoza amid early slide.

Ownership & Player Tributes

In ownership news, the San Diego Padres are reportedly nearing a sale agreement valued at an astounding $3.9 billion, which would set a new Major League Baseball record for franchise valuation according to sources familiar with the transaction. Separately, the baseball world mourned the loss of former Angels outfielder Garret Anderson, an All-Star MVP whose passing at age 53 marks the end of an era for the franchise where he spent 15 of his 17 major league seasons.