MLB Baseball 8 Hours

Last updated: June 19, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Player Injuries and Absences

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is sidelined with a Grade 1 MCL sprain, though the team successfully avoided placing him on the injured list. The Detroit Tigers face a more significant rotation hurdle as Justin Verlander will miss weeks of action due to a left hamstring strain, a timeline confirmed by manager A.J. Hinch. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers played without Shohei Ohtani during Friday's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles as the superstar takes leave from the team for paternity reasons.

Roster Moves and On-Field Anomalies

The Texas Rangers optioned Josh Smith to Triple-A just days after the second baseman rejoined the major league roster, ending a stint that saw him miss 37 games due to injuries and a bout with viral meningitis. In the same game, officials encountered a rare procedural hiccup as only two umpires started the contest on the field during the top of the first inning between the Rangers and the San Diego Padres.

Performance Milestones and Player Safety

Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski reached 104.2 mph on the radar gun during a dominant individual effort against the Braves, though his velocity failed to secure a win for Milwaukee. Despite the volatility of professional play, New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. rejected protective gear and stated he has no intentions of wearing a cup, one day after a foul ball struck him in the groin area. Chisholm’s decision comes as the league continues to monitor player safety protocols across all active rosters.