MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: August 29, 2026, 11:02 PM ET

Injury Updates Across the League

The Yankees' growing casualty list took another hit when rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. exited the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Boston with right knee discomfort, joining an infirmary that already includes Aaron Judge and Max Fried. The club did get one starter back, however, as Max Fried was activated from the injured list Saturday morning to pitch in the opener of that twin bill. With October looming, New York's walking wounded remain a significant concern, as a full injury breakdown of the roster shows multiple key contributors still working through setbacks.

Boston got some good news on their end of the AL East rivalry, activating reliever Garrett Whitlock off the 10-day IL after a brief stint on the shelf. In San Diego, things turned sour: second baseman Luis Rengifo was carted off the field in the seventh inning against Tampa Bay with a sprained right knee. Washington's Cade Cavalli also departed early, exiting in the fourth inning Saturday after a ground ball struck his ankle.

Headline Performances

Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to build a compelling case for NL MVP after slugging three home runs against Cincinnati at Wrigley Field on Saturday. It’s the kind of breakout performance that not only boosts his own credibility but also the Cubs' postseason aspirations. Meanwhile, Juan Soto wasted no time making an impact in his Mets return, delivering the go-ahead RBI single in a 6-2 win over the week.

In Detroit,Tarik Skubal couldn’t control his emotions on his return to Comerica Park, where he threw six strong innings as a Dodger while fighting back tears. The start led to a win, but the spectacle showed the levity of his Detroit comeback. In Atlanta, slumping outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. returned to the batting order in a new spot, and the result was immediate as he delivered three hits by batting cleanup for the first time since 2022, providing a 6-4 win over Colorado.

Roster Moves and Debuts

The Twins are going young with their top prospect Walker Jenkins, who after being called up from Triple-A St. Paul and singled in his Major League debut against the White Sox. The first round of the season has quickly sparked promise, but the most alarming development of the day may come from the Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani admitted he is not 100% after his latest bullpen session, casting real doubt on when he might return to their starting rotation.

There is a bit of good news on the baseball side, with Ryan Feltner scratched from his start against the Braves because he was too ill to take the mound. The Braves were thus facing a late change while their own bullpen took advantage of a very rare Saturday off. The Susana Marin/AGNOS replacement forced the issue late, but Atlanta's win over the Rockies and the January signing of Councell depends with O’Hoppe adding a pickup.

Transactions and Milestones

The Blue Jays honored their historical legacy on Saturday by inducting Buck Martinez into their new Hall of Excellence, recognizing his long career as player, manager, and broadcaster. The Rays took a major step forward off the field when the county joined the city in approving a financing plan that will allow them to build a new stadium in the St. Petersburg area, a massive win for the franchise and the region.

The Reds, meanwhile, had a rival to watch for the winter when the Milwaukee Brewers and Twins completed a financial swap that included the top farm system in baseball. The updated MLB farm system rankings show the Brewers at the top boast of a deep and feared pipeline. But an even more surprising development unfolded on Saturday as Major League Baseball suspended a Dominican prospect over an elaborate age-fraud scheme that allegedly included a fictitious death to mask his true age.

Remembering a Champion

The baseball world lost a well-loved character on Saturday when Larry Christenson, a pitcher with the 1980 Phillies, died at the age of 72 while on a fishing trip with family and friends. He spent his entire career wearing the red and white in Philadelphia.

Feature

Nico Hoerner’s path to MLB stardom fits no template of big-money youth travel ball. The Cubs’ second baseman took an unusual route that relied on school and standout development, which now casts his success as a wealth unknown. Meanwhile, at the Little League World Series, the legacy of Michael Cammarata, a 9/11 hero, lives on the only retired jersey in Williamsport. His legacy continues to inspire as it never fades.