The Nationals slugger crushed a deep fly ball to left that not only popped out of the Mets rookie’s glove but ended up turning into a rare inside-the-park grand slam.
Mets starter Nolan McLean easily got the first two outs of the bottom of the second inning before allowing a double and single with a hit by pitch sandwiched in between.
Wood, who had 31 homers last year and 12 entering Wednesday’s ballgame, sent a high, arcing fly deep to left field that sent Morabito back to the fence.
At the top of his leap, Morabito, making his major league debut, saw the ball bounce off the heel of his glove and roll all the way to center field. Center fielder Tyrone Taylor didn’t appear to know where the ball was and stayed near Morabito, who was down on the warning track.
By the time Morabito got to his feet and went for the ball, Wood was inevitably going to score on a wild homer that went 379 feet but never left the confines of Nationals Park.
Rookie left fielder Nick Morabito stands on the on deck circle before his first MLB at bat during the Mets’ 9-6 loss to the Nationals on May 19, 2026 at Nationals Park. Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
To add insult to injury, Morabito was plunked in his second plate appearance in the top of the third.
But Morabito got a measure of redemption in the bottom half when he made a leaping catch reaching into the stands down the left field line on a Jorbit Vivas fly ball that turned into a sacrifice fly.
The outfield prospect had a .754 OPS with four homers and 14 steals in 41 games with Triple-A Syracuse this year.
Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros walks to the dugout during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park on May 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
The Astros’ injury woes are only getting worse.
Houston right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. was scratched from his start on Tuesday and placed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, adding to a long list of health issues for the club.
Astros manager Joe Espada told The Athletic’s Chandler Rome that McCullers had been dealing with the shoulder injury “a while” despite the last-minute scratch.
Injuries have been a major part of McCullers’ career over the last several years.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Houston, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. AP
After missing the 2023 and 2024 seasons with a flexor strain, McCullers struggled in his return last season, posting a 6.51 ERA across 16 outings.
It didn’t get any better in 2026, having put up a 6.86 ERA in eight starts until hitting the IL.
The McCullers loss is the latest for a ravaged Astros team that’s struggling to stay in the American League playoff race.
Before McCullers went down, Houston was already without starters Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier, who are both on the IL with shoulder strains.
Another trio of hurlers – Ronel Blanco, Brandon Walter and Hayden Wesneski – are still yet to return from Tommy John surgeries a year ago.
On Monday, the Astros lost star second baseman Jose Altuve, who suffered a left oblique strain on Sunday and later went on the IL.
Third baseman Carlos Correa, center fielder Jake Meyers, left fielder Joey Loperfido, and catcher Yainer Diaz and closer Josh Hader are all also sidelined with various injuries.
The bad luck has the Astros, who have finished above .500 in each of the past 10 full seasons, struggling out of the gate.
Heading into Tuesday’s play, they sit at 19-30, which is the second-worst record in the American League.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Rodolfo Durán #48 and Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 in a game at Petco Park on May 18, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers (29-19) at San Diego Padres (29-18), May 19, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
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Jacob Lopez will take the mound tonight in Anaheim as the A’s take on the Angels in game two of a four game set. | Getty Images
After a heartbreaking loss last night in the J.T. Ginn near no-hitter the A’s will need to regroup for game two of the four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Despite being one game under .500, the A’s remain on top of the American League West by one game over both the Mariners and Rangers. The Angels remain in last place with a 17-31 record.
Jacob Lopez gets the start tonight. The 28-year-old lefty is 3-2 with a 5.80 ERA in eight starts this season. He’s amassed thirty strikeouts in 40 innings in 2026. Lopez will go up against 26-year-old left Reid Detmers for the Halos. He’s 1-4 in nine starts this season with a 4.20 ERA.
Detmers will face off against this lineup for Mark Kotsay’s Athletics tonight:
Anthony Kay takes the bump in Seattle tonight. | (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)
Now that everyone has had a day to settle, and the adrenaline from the wild swings of the Crosstown Cup’s first leg has mostly subsided, it’s time to get back to thinking about what our expectations should be for this South Side team moving forward. For the first time in however many years, I now enter each day of White Sox baseball with the expectation that they have a solid chance to win. I’m actually not sure if I like it, because it feels like I’m setting myself up for disappointment. It’s hard not to wait for the slide back to reality that takes them to 15 games below .500, but I suppose that’s just another rung up the long ladder from the bottom of the barrel, right?
It’s a little easier to resist the temptation of optimism when you look at the lineups they’re putting out there. Take tonight’s, for example.
The new trio of fan favorites in Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas, and Colson Montgomery is going to be exciting for the rest of the way. However, I look at how many at-bats at the bottom of the order are still going to hitters performing several standard deviations below what’s acceptable. I think to myself that the string of wins we just saw was nothing short of magical. There will be a time in the near future when Jarred Kelenic is replaced in the lineup by Braden Montgomery, Kyle Teel will return, and Andrew Benintendi’s contract will be cut loose eventually. Until that happens, though, the Sox will continue to live and die with their top four hitters.
The downside to the roller coaster nature of the past few days is that Chicago’s bullpen is pretty shot, and Anthony Kay is going to have to eat some innings tonight. I’d wager the outcome of this ballgame will be disproportionately influenced by how sharp he can be multiple times through the Seattle batting order, because good or bad, he’s probably getting his five frames tonight no matter what.
Here’s the lineup that Seattle manager Dan Wilson will be sending out against Kay this evening.
Bryce Miller is making his second start of the season after missing all of it up to this point with a strained oblique. He gave up two earned runs over 5 1/3 innings in his debut last week, and more importantly, his fastball was humming at 97-98 mph, a huge spike from his 94.8 mph average last season. He’s just one year removed from posting a 2.94 ERA over 31 starts and 180 1/3 innings, which included a dominant seven-inning, two-hit showing against the Good Guys. If he holds that velocity while showing the control that was typical of him before his injury-plagued 2025, it could be a long night for the Sox offense.
First pitch is a late one, of course, scheduled for 8:40 p.m. CT from T-Mobile Park. If you want to join us, broadcasts are available on CHSN (TV) and WMVP AM 1000 (radio), like always!
May 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves designated hitter Drake Baldwin (30) reacts after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox center during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
After today’s victory against the Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters that catcher Drake Baldwin’s MRI results came back with a mild Grade 1 oblique strain.
Baldwin was placed on the 10-day IL earlier today as part of a bevy of moves. With Sean Murphy also on the injured list with a fractured finger, the Braves will now have veterans Sandy Leon and Chadwick Tromp as their primary backstops – barring a move to bring in a catcher from outside the organization – for at least the next week-and-a-half, although the length of Baldwin’s stay on the IL in unknown. Murphy isn’t expected back until next month, at the earliest.
This is some slightly good news for Atlanta and their star catcher. Baldwin, who has amassed 2.2 fWAR already this season behind 13 home runs and a 160 wRC+, seemed likely to be headed to his first All-Star game with a performance that has positioned him among the top catchers in the game.
May 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Fans watch in the fifth inning between the Colorado Rockies and the Texas Rangers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Sammy Peralta #57 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Tonight, they will look to take the series from theTexas Rangers.
Starting for the Rangers is Tyler Alexander.
The lefty has a 2.14 ERA in 23.0 IP. He’s struck out 16, walked six, and given up one home run. Alexander has a 1.38 WHIP.
Presumably, Alexander will act as an opener for Kumar Rocker. In 37.1 IP, he has a 4.34 ERA.
Starting for the Rockies in what will be his first start in purple pinstripes is Sammy Peralta, a lefty reliever the Rockies claimed from the Milwaukee Brewers on April 4. His arsenal includes a five-pitch mix, none of which average more than 89 MPH: a slider, a sinker, a changeup, a four-seam fastball, topped off with an occasional sweeper.
In 2026, he has pitched for two Triple-A teams. With the Nashville Sounds, Peralta earned a 27.00 ERA in 1.0 IP. In Albuquerque, Peralta has 19.0 IP with a more-respectable 3.79 ERA.
Presumably, Peralta will be opening for RHP Tanner Gordon, who will pitch most of the game.
Currently, Gordon has an ERA of 5.19 in 21.0 IP primarily in long relief. He’s struck out 25 while giving up five walks and five home runs with a 1.33 WHIP.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 16: Alec Burleson #41 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits an RBI single against the Kansas City Royals in the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on May 16, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals enjoyed a badly-needed day off Monday, but return to Busch Stadium Tuesday night for a NL Central battle with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Matthew Liberatore gets the start for the Cardinals while the Pirates will depend on Mitch Keller. First pitch scheduled for 6:45pm central time. Here’s the lineup for the Cardinals tonight. Note that Masyn Winn is out of the lineup as he’s dealing with knee discomfort.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 19: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but eight runs are better than zero.
The Braves are back in the win column, winning their 33rd game of the season in Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return to the lineup.
The Braves took advantage of command issues from Marlins starter Braxton Garrett, who loaded the bases with no outs to start the game. They’d only cash in two runs on an Ozzie Albies sac fly and a Michael Harris II two-out single.
However, Martín Pérez would give them those runs back plus one more in a rocky bottom of the first. Xavier Edwards tagged Pérez for a leadoff homer, Otto Lopez singled, Esteury Ruiz walked, and Kyle Stowers doubled to drive in two more and make it 3-2 Marlins.
Pérez walked the tightrope for the rest of his five innings of work. It was a mixed bag of an outing – he worked around traffic, made his pitches in big moments, and even racked up a career-high of ten strikeouts. But he would depart after the fifth inning with the Marlins leading 4-2. Not a quality start, but it could’ve been much worse / he did enough to keep the boys within striking distance.
Braxton Garrett settled down after a 30+ pitch first inning, but had a curiously short leash. He was relieved by Anthony Bender who worked a perfect fourth.
Bender would give up a leadoff double to Acuña Jr. and get Mauricio Dubón to fly out before they made the call to bring in the lefty Andrew Nardi to face Matt Olson. They regretted that immediately when Matt doubled to drive in Ronald, chipping away at the lead to make it 4-3 Marlins.
A Money Mike home run to straightaway center tied the game 4-4 in the top of the sixth.
Didier Fuentes and Dylan Lee would combine to work a scoreless bottom of the sixth. Lee stayed in to pitch the seventh to face the top of the Marlins order. Consecutive singles from Lopez and Heriberto Hernández had Miami threatening, but Lee would strand both.
The tie would finally break in a very silly eighth inning. Marlins reliever Calvin Faucher came in and struck out Michael Harris II before issing a free pass to Mike Yastrzemski. Walt Weiss was hoping for a Big Dom Smith Moment, but he’d strike out in Sandy León spot to make it two outs. But the Braves weren’t dead yet. Faucher walked Ha-Seong Kim and Ronald to put a Brave on every base. This, as we know, is Mauricio Dubón’s favorite situation. He would reach on an infield single (featuring a very welcome lapse in Marlins defense), allowing Yaz to score and make it 5-4 Braves.
Matt followed up with a two-run single to make it 7-4. Ozzie’s hard-hit liner to his counterpart Edwards ended the top of the eighth. We’ll take a lucky inning any day.
Chadwick Tromp made his season debut, entering to catch and bat eighth after Dom Smith struck out for León. He’d work with Robert Suarez for a scoreless bottom of the eighth and record a single in his first at-bat in the top of the ninth. Welcome back, Trompy. Please stay healthy.
Ha-Seong Kim singled in Austin Riley for a little extra insurance to make it 8-4. And Raisel Iglesias did Iggy things to close the book on this one. Braves win and even up the series 1-1. Game 3 and 4 will start at 6:40 pm ET.
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 18: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a ball in outfield prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Monday, May 18, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Shohei Ohtani is on the mound for the Dodgers at the end of their stretch of 13 game days in a row, starting the series finale against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Petco Park.
Ohtani was named the National League pitcher of the month for March/April, and has allowed six total runs (four earned) in his seven starts this season. He’s led the league in ERA after each of his starts and is currently at 0.82 with 50 strikeouts against 11 walks. With 44 innings thus far, he’ll need at least six innings on Wednesday to once again qualify for the leaderboard, as this will be the Dodgers’ 50th game.
Randy Vásquez starts for the Padres in the series finale, having allowed just one run over 11 innings in his last two starts. On the season the 27-year-old right-hander has a 2.68 ERA and 4.78 xERA through nine starts.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 04: Eric Lauer #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, May 4, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
After a 3.18 ERA and 3.88 xERA in 2025 for the Blue Jays, Lauer this year had a 6.69 ERA and 5.86 xERA in eight games, including six starts, with 26 strikeouts, 16 walks, and an American League-high 11 home runs allowed. That led to Toronto designating Lauer for assignment on May 11, before trading him to Los Angeles on Sunday.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes spoke with reporters on Monday at Petco Park in San Diego and said that Lauer, who last pitched on May 10, will be inserted into the Dodgers rotation at some point in the next week, but might pitch in relief in the interim. From Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times:
“Part of the thinking is to not create this domino effect of chasing our tails,” Gomes said. “Trying to maintain a similar schedule as we’ve had, and when we can get guys extra days’ rest, do it. If we don’t need it, and we’re trying to line things up a different way, just maintain the flexibility to be able to do that.”
Just looking ahead, starting Lauer on Monday or Tuesday next week at Dodger Stadium against the Colorado Rockies would allow an extra day for the Dodgers to have Shohei Ohtani start for a second consecutive Wednesday directly before a team off day.
UPDATE: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Tuesday at Petco Park told reporters that Lauer is penciled in to start next Tuesday, May 26 against the Rockies, per the beatreporters on-sitein San Diego.
Mills pitched in four of the nine games for which he was active, all at the tail end of lopsided affairs. The 31-year-old right-hander allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings and issued six unintentional walks among his 21 batters faced, with one strikeout. His appearance on May 10 at Dodger Stadium was the first for Mills in the majors since 2022 with the Kansas City Royals, with Tommy John surgery wiping out his 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
“A long road, it’s never a guarantee that you get fully healthy after that. So it was more like a deep breath, kind of peaceful. I felt calm,” Mills said on the homestand. “I put in a lot of work, and my confidence came from that.”
Lauer will wear uniform number 33 with the Dodgers.
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (19-30) visit Target Field in Minneapolis for the second of a 3-game series vs. the Minnesota Twins (22-26).
RHP Jason Alexander (0-0, 14.21 ERA) takes on Twins RHP Zebby Matthews (1-0, 0.00 ERA). Alexander is making his first start of the season while Mathews is making his second start of the season.
ROADIES: Tonight is the 2nd game of a 10-game, 3-city road trip for the Astros. After this 3-game set at MIN, they will visit Chicago for a 3-game series at Wrigley Field (Fri.-Sun.) vs. the Cubs and then travel back to Texas for a 4-game series vs. the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
VS. THE TWINS: The Astros were 5-1 vs. MIN last season, going 3-0 at home and 2-1 here at Target Field. The Astros won 2 of 3 in their last visit to Target Field, April 3-6 of 2025 and then later swept MIN in a 3-game series at Daikin Park, June 13-15.
Since 2021, the Astros are 9-5 at Target Field and 18-13 vs. MIN overall.
ABOUT ALEXANDER: Alexander has been in Sugar Land for most of the season. He has pitched 6.1 innings this year in relief during a previous stint. He was a key contributor last season where he went 4-2 in 15 starts and a 4.77 ERA between the Astros and Athletics.
ABOUT MATTHEWS: Matthews has pitched parts of three seasons with the Twins. He has a career 7-10 record with a 5.59 ERA in 26 starts. He pitched seven scoreless innings in his last time out getting the win.
ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have placed RHP Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day IL (retro 5/16) due to right shoulder inflammation and optioned IF/OF Shay Whitcomb to Triple A Sugar Land…to take their places on the active roster, the Astros reinstated OF Jake Meyers and RHP Nate Pearson from the Injured List.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, May 19, 6:40 p.m. CT
Location: Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
May 18, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong (12) tags out Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) sliding into home during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The Royals are facing one of their biggest adversaries in tonight’s game: a left-hander. Gasp! The lefties are deadly. If you know one, keep an extra eye on them, because you never know when they’ll kick the teeth into a Royals lineup.
To be fair to the Royals, they are trying something different. Vinnie Pasquantino, who has struggled mightily against lefties over the last few years, moves all the way down to the seventh spot in the lineup. I asked Matt Quatraro before the game why that was and whether it portended anything about Vinnie in the long run. Q was noncomittal about the second part, but he said that Red Sox starting pitcher Ranger Suarez’s more neutral splits were a big part of it.
I don’t know if that makes sense; if Suarez has neutral splits, why isn’t Vinnie in his normal spot on the lineup? But whatever. We’re doing it.
Meanwhile, it’s a bullpen-ish game for the Royals today. Bailey Falter is starting. I expect to spy Luinder Avila down the road. We’ll see how this goes.
Nick Morabito #70 of the New York Mets looks on during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Clover Park on March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
WASHINGTON — The kid was No. 8 for one night, but “The Kid” will get it back Wednesday.
Following a fan backlash on social media, the club announced Morabito’s number will change before Wednesday’s game.
Carter’s number is not retired by the Mets. It was last worn by Desi Relaford in 2001.
Among those displeased that Morabito received Carter’s old number was the team’s radio voice, Howie Rose.
“It appears that most fans are opposed to the Mets releasing #8 (to call up Nick Morabito) after having not issued it for 25 years,” Rose posted on X. “There’s been a debate over whether Gary Carter’s number should be retired, but to release it this 40th anniversary season of 1986 just seems wrong.”
Carter, a Hall of Fame catcher, helped the Mets win their last World Series in 1986. Although discussion about retiring his number has occurred in recent years, Carter’s candidacy has not received enough support from the committee that recommends such actions to ownership. Carter’s candidacy is hurt by the fact he played just five seasons for the Mets.
Nick Morabito looks on during the second inning of a Mets’ spring training Spring Breakout game against the Rays at Clover Park on March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Diamond Images/Getty Images
Carlos Beltrán’s No. 15 will join the list of retired numbers later this season. Tom Seaver (41), Mike Piazza (31), Jerry Koosman (36), Keith Hernandez (17), Willie Mays (24), Dwight Gooden (16), Darryl Strawberry (18) and David Wright (5) are the former Mets players with retired numbers.
Additionally, the club has retired numbers for managers Casey Stengel (37) and Gil Hodges (14). Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 is retired throughout MLB.
Morabito became the third rookie outfielder to debut for the club this season, joining Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing.
The 23-year-old Morabito, who grew up in northern Virginia, received his homecoming as the starting left fielder against the Nationals in the ballpark where he grew up watching players like Bryce Harper and Juan Soto.
Morabito brings the Mets a right-handed bat, replacing veteran Austin Slater, who was designated for assignment.
Former Mets catcher Gary Carter in 1985. ASSOCIATED PRESS
In 41 games for Syracuse this season, Morabito owned a .253/.364/.390 slash line with four homers and 14 stolen bases.
“I feel like in all aspects of my game I have been able to do pretty well,” Morabito said. “I feel like the first month of the year I was able to show a little bit more power to hit that many homers and I think that was pretty good for me. It was something I worked on in the offseason, just try to elevate the ball more.”
Morabito gives manager Carlos Mendoza the potential of starting an all-rookie outfield on any given day. But Mendoza indicated the plan is still to integrate Soto (who started at DH on Tuesday) into the left field mix.
The New York Post back page for Weds. May 20, 2026.
“We feel like the way [Morabito] has been playing this year in Triple-A, doing everything we are asking him to do, offensively, defensively, running the bases, continue just to learn to how to play the game,” Mendoza said. “And we felt like right now we’re looking for our best 26 guys that are going to help us win baseball games here, and he’s here for a reason.”
If nothing else, the Mets have infused athleticism into their outfield with the three rookies.
“It’s exciting and I think when you look around the league, that is the kind of trend,” Mendoza said. “You have got guys that can run, they can play multiple positions, they put the ball in play and play elite defense. It just allows you to manage the game in a lot of different ways.
After a sluggish start, Benge has emerged among the Mets’ hottest hitters. He entered play with an .877 OPS over his previous 23 games. Included was a three-hit performance Monday in the Mets’ 16-7 victory over the Nationals.
Ewing — who was promoted to the Mets at the start of their last homestand and was absent from Tuesday’s starting lineup with Tyrone Taylor starting in center field — reached base 14 times in his first seven major league games.
“You see how aggressive we are on the bases, bunting, putting the ball in play, hit and run, playing a little bit of small ball while also having a few guys that can hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Mendoza said. “It’s exciting and just more weapons for you to attack.”
