MLB Baseball 8 Hours

Last updated: August 29, 2026, 3:03 PM ET

Injury Returns & Roster Moves

The Mets have activated Juan Soto from the injured list after the slugger spent more than a month sidelined with a left calf strain. Boston, meanwhile, welcomed back Garrett Whitlock from the 10-day IL, adding a key bullpen arm ahead of a doubleheader. The Yankees will also get a boost, as Max Fried is set to return Saturday to pitch against the Red Sox, though the club still faces questions about Aaron Judge and other injured players with October approaching — ESPN breaks down New York's walking wounded.

Game Highlights & Performances

Ronald Acuna Jr. broke out of his slump in a big way, shifting to cleanup for the first time since 2022 and collecting three hits to lift the Braves to a 6-4 win over the Rockies. In Detroit, Tarik Skubal delivered an emotional six-inning outing in his return to Comerica Park, tearing up afterward as he acknowledged the difficulty of treating it as just another start. Elsewhere, Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins made his MLB debut, singling in his first game after being called up from Triple-A St. Paul.

Around the League

Major League Baseball has suspended a Dominican prospect over an elaborate age-fraud plot that included a fictitious death, sources told ESPN. The Tampa Bay Rays received county approval on a financing plan that will allow them to build a new stadium, joining the city's earlier OK on the $2.3B project. In Williamsport, the only retired jersey at the Little League World Series belongs to No. 11 — a tribute to 9/11 hero Michael Cammarata. Finally, the Phillies mourned the loss of Larry Christenson, a pitcher on the 1980 World Series-winning team, who died at age 72 while on a fishing trip.

Prospect Watch

With the trade deadline passed, ESPN has updated its ranking of all 30 farm systems, with the Brewers leading the pack after adding talent during the busiest stretch of the year.