MLB Baseball 8 Hours

Last updated: May 29, 2026, 2:54 AM ET

Injury Updates

Pirates right-hander Jared Jones prepared for his MLB return after being sidelined since 2024, set to start against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Pittsburgh kept rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin sidelined with forearm soreness for Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Cubs, while the Tigers placed closer Kenley Jansen on the 15-day injured list with pelvic inflammation. In Texas, Rangers second baseman Josh Smith returned to uniform Thursday after being hospitalized with viral meningitis in mid-May, though he remains uncertain when he'll resume playing.

Player Performance

During his time with the Cubs, Javier Baez pulled off a magic trick that left the Pirates looking like Little Leaguers, showcasing the defensive wizardry that earned him the nickname "El Mago." Across the country, Shohei Ohtani lamented performance flaws despite hitting a leadoff home run and helping position the Dodgers for a combined no-hitter. Two months into the 2026 season, MLB power rankings showed increased consistency at the top of the league, with one AL club reaching its highest ranking of the season during Week.

League Issues

As baseball's collective bargaining agreement battle begins, MLB pushes for a salary cap while the players' association remains fiercely opposed, raising questions among fans about the implications for team spending and competitive balance in the sport.