The St. Louis Cardinals hold an annual event for “non-traditional” media types who cover the team, including yours truly, where we have the opportunity to have access to whoever the current sitting POBO of the team is. Historically, that’s been John Mozeliak, but this year we had our first opportunity to ask Chaim Bloom about his thoughts on the current state of affairs. He did not disappoint. Chaim Bloom was very thoughtful and engaging with his style of answer, and even after his obligation concluded, he stuck around for about an hour afterwards to talk with and elaborate further on his thoughts with anyone who wished to hold court with him.
Unfortunately, this event does not allow for video recording, but we are allowed to audio record the conversation and some of the topics included: extensions, trade talk, roles of new front office personnel, and how they are providing the Cardinals with an additional edge as they continue to try and rebuild the franchise, how the team can utilize AI, the process he uses when determining a players readiness for promotion, and so much more!
I will look to finalize June’s podcast schedule this week and announce ASAP. Be on the lookout for this announcement, as I have some VIP level Cardinals guests lined up.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 27: Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a solo home run from Shohei Ohtani #17,to take a 1-0 lead, during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on May 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yoshinobu Yamamoto faces Andrew Painter as the Dodgers look to take two of three against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Fans in the left field premium seats at Tropicana Field can access a buffet right up against the wall to the field. There, they can grab a hot dog, popcorn or some wings and watch all the action up close and personal.
On Sunday, May 31, Angels outfielder Jose Siri got so close that he almost wound up with wing sauce on his glove.
The Los Angeles Angels left fielder, and former Rays center fielder, robbed his former teammate Taylor Walls of a grand slam in the bottom of the third inning. Siri, known for his athletic defense, reached well over the left field wall, just above the buffet, and pulled the home run back.
The Angels are building a reputation as the most entertaining outfield in baseball. Jo Adell robbed three home runs in a single game against the Mariners on April 4, something that had never been seen in a major league game before. He has five robberies total nearly 10 weeks into the season and made a sliding catch in the outfield to escape a bases-loaded jam on Saturday.
And then Siri made his dramatic play on Sunday, reminding everyone at Tropicana Field of what he did there for years. The 30-year-old spent parts of three seasons in Tampa Bay before the Rays traded him after the 2024 season.
May 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) stands in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh made a cameo appearance in the dugout during last night’s 5-1 win against the Diamondbacks, marking the first time he’s been in Seattle since going to the Mariners’ facility in Arizona a week ago to rehab his injured oblique.
Despite a plan to have him at the park pregame, Raleigh was delayed getting into town and only popped up in the dugout in the sixth inning, surprising his teammates, who had been asking where Cal was all day.
“I was glad I got to come watch a good one last night, and see the boys, and hang out in the dugout,” Raleigh told the media during a pregame scrum on Sunday.
It was a brief respite for Raleigh from what he describes as “a lot of nothing” in his rehab in Arizona, getting to be close to his team again and in a game situation, even if it wasn’t one he was playing in.
“It was good to get down there and focus on what I needed to focus on, but I miss the guys. I miss being here each day. It’s tough, watching these games on TV.”
Raleigh is progressing steadily in his rehab, doing tee work and flips at moderate intensity, standing in (no swings) on bullpens and against the Trajekt machine, and even caught a bullpen while in Arizona. A complicating factor in Raleigh’s rehab is the fact that he’s a switch-hitter, so he feels the injury differently from each side: more at the beginning of the swing when hitting right-handed and more at the end of the swing when hitting lefty. Yesterday he hit off a tee, fifteen swings per side, and said it went well.
“Felt really good, really promising. Didn’t feel anything. Obviously you’re not going as hard as you can but it felt good to get in there, take some swings, and feel the ball off the bat, see where we’re at.”
Today’s plan involves mostly monitoring, checking in with the training staff and doing light rehab, before attempting to dial up the intensity tomorrow. Raleigh is hoping to have a better idea by Wednesday of what the next steps will look like, saying rehab games are “still up in the air,” but he seems optimistic that the bulk of his Arizona time is over, saying “I think for the most part I’ll probably be up here for good.” (Source: Cal Raleigh, notably not GM Justin Hollander, head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson, or any of the other stakeholders.)
“These next two days will be pretty telling as far as how things are going. Ramping up the baseball slowly but surely, checking boxes, and from there it’ll just be communication with the staff and trying to set a plan up to get back as soon as I can.”
‘As soon as he can’ comes with caveats. For as anxious as Raleigh is to get back on the field, he’s aware of the specific nature of an oblique injury and the challenges rehabbing one can present. From talking with good friend Luke Raley, who dealt with a similar injury last year, Raleigh knows how temperamental oblique muscles can be in the rehab process.
“The hard part about it is you can’t really replicate in-game swings, having that same kind of energy and percentile and that adrenaline going, it’s hard to replicate. So everything can feel great now, and then you get into a game and you might feel it, or have a little setback. So I’m just hoping with all the work I put in it’ll get there. I’m trying to be smart about getting back as quick as I can, but making sure this thing doesn’t linger for the rest of the year. It’s definitely been a topic we’ve talked about a lot.”
So Raleigh is attempting to practice patience. He’s trying to take things day-by-day, but for a player who is used to being one of the first to the park and one of the last to leave, with every free moment tightly scheduled in between, the sudden shift in schedule has been a sudden and unwelcome adjustment, requiring Raleigh speed-run the stages of grieving his injury straight to “acceptance.”
“The first couple days didn’t feel real, didn’t feel right. And then once I got to Arizona, it was kind of like, the acceptance stage, I guess. Once I got there, I was able to accept it and realize I had to try to get back as quick as I can. Control what you can control.”
Still, that doesn’t make it fun. Raleigh dryly describes his daily schedule at the complex:
“It’s been rehabbing, rehabbing some more, and then training, lifting weights and running, trying to stay on top of that. And then more rehab stuff. So you get home early, you don’t really know what to do with yourself, just waiting for the games to come on.”
Watching the Mariners from afar for the first time has been both a pain point and a source of introspection, and even inspiration, for Raleigh.
“It’s really hard watching the games on TV. It’s weird, watching it and not being there – it’s like a Twilight Zone kind of feeling. But I think it makes you appreciate it a little more when you’re that far away and you realize you don’t get to do it every day, the thing you love. So it gave me a little more appreciation for getting to play every day, being around the guys. It’s eye-opening…Realizing how much I miss it, how much I enjoy playing the game and being with the guys, it’s very eye-opening.
And it makes me never want to go back on the IL again.”
That bird’s-eye view of the team has also allowed him to take a step back and gain a new perspective on the team: one that maybe wasn’t available to Raleigh as he was mired in his own struggles at the plate.
“The biggest thing I noticed is how talented this team really is. It’s so much fun to watch. Me not being here stinks, and I hate it, but sitting back and realizing, I’m like, oh my gosh, this is a really good team. And the team seems to be hitting a really good stride right now. It’s a lot of fun to watch when we’re doing all three facets of the game like we’re doing it – pitching, hitting, and defense.”
“Watching them do it from afar and seeing them do it without you, you kind of notice a few more things that you don’t really notice when you’re in it. Sometimes you’re so close that you don’t see certain things, or it just takes a while to notice things like that. So it’s been a different kind of perspective.”
Without being able to contribute in games, Raleigh has still found a way to impact his team from afar, even if he rolls his eyes about it.
“I feel like that relative that texts you after every game. Like if anyone hits a home run I’m like, ‘nice swing, dude.’ I feel like such a loser right now, sitting on the bench. So I’m a big cheerleader from afar. I was trying to stay in touch, trying to keep it light and be funny with the guys as much as I could.”
But praise only – any critiques Raleigh has, he’s keeping to himself for now.
“I’m not saying a word. They’re on a five-game winning streak. I don’t want to do anything to mess it up.”
May 25, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Will Warren (29) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
May has been a hit-or-miss month for the Yankees, and so has this series. They dominated the Athletics on Friday, only to lose behind a trio of homers last night. With Will Warren on the hill, they stand the chance today to win a game, win a key series, and hopefully put the messiness of the last 30 days behind them.
The soon-to-be 27-year-old Warren has taken a step forward so far this year, with a solid 3.55 ERA and very impressive 3.27 FIP, built upon significant cuts to his walk and home run rate. The strikeouts are still there, to be sure, but Warren’s progress has been buoyed by him making fewer mistakes. Warren is for now the No. 5 starter in the rotation, but he’s top 40 by ERA and 27th in all of baseball. If that’s the way the supposed weakest link in your rotation is going, you’re eating pretty good. For what it’s worth, Warren had his career-best outing by Game Score last May in this very ballpark, dominating the A’s with 7.1 innings of four-hit, one-run ball with seven strikeouts.
Jacob Lopez goes for “Sacremento,” and he is exactly the kind of pitcher the Yankees should feast on. He gives up 2+ HR/9 while walking 13.5 percent of batters faced, while seeing a BABIP that’s not quite league average but isn’t far off. He’s not a victim of bad luck — he struggles to find the strike zone and when he does its hittable. That should appeal greatly to a team trained to attack mistakes and let border pitches go, but then again we’ve seen more than one 5+ ERA hurler toss blanks against this team in previous seasons.
We have a couple changes to the ordinary lineup today, with José Caballero batting fifth (and I triple-checked) and manning the hot corner, while Max Schuemann gets the start at second while he’ll hit eighth. Paul Goldschmidt is once again penciled in for a start, leading us off in front of the familiar Ben Rice-Aaron Judge-Cody Bellinger trio.
Yes, we have one more afternoon start to endure.
How to watch:
Location: Sutter Health Park — West Sacramento, CA
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 21: A general view of the Seattle skyline, Seattle Space Needle, the exterior of T-Mobile Park, home of the Major League Baseball Seattle Mariners and Lumen Field, home of the National Football League Seattle Seahawks, with Mount Rainier in the background on October 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
MARINERS
Ketel Marte – DH
J.P. Crawford – SS
Corbin Carroll – RF
Julio Rodriguez – CF
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Josh Naylor – 1B
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Randy Arozarena – LF
Ryan Waldschmidt – CF
Luke Raley – RF
Ildemaro Vargas – 2B
Cole Young – 2B
Jose Fernandez – 1B
Dominic Canzone – DH
Aramis Garcia – C
Jhonny Pereda – C
Tim Tawa – LF
Colt Emerson – 3B
Merrill Kelly – RHP
Luis Castillo – RHP
This has definitely been a season which, so far, has shown spending big is no guarantee of success. If you look at the top 10 teams by cash payroll, half of them – the Mets, Phillies, Blue Jays, Astros and Giants – would not be in the playoffs, if the season ended today. All but the Phillies are below .500. Conversely, the last-placed by payroll Guardians are leading their division, while Tampa and Milwaukee are other teams on top of their division, while in the bottom half by payroll. Of course, it’s still relatively early. But we’ve seen before how, well before the one-third point, the standings become a pretty reliable guide to the post-season.
While the D-backs stand lower in total payroll, the harsh fact is that the team’s spending has not been very productive so far either. If we look at their top contracts this year (and excluding Nolan Arenado, since the Cardinals are responsible for the vast bulk of what he’s getting paid), here’s what we find.
Corbin Burnes, $31.7 million, zero appearances
Eduardo Rodriguez, $21 million, 2.3 bWAR
Merrill Kelly, $20 million, 0.0 bWAR
Zac Gallen, $16.2 million, -0.5 bWAR
Ketel Marte, $15 million, 1.2 bWAR
Lourdes Gurriel, $13 million, -0.3 bWAR, currently injured
That’s a total of almost $117 million being paid to these six players this year, for a total of 2.7 bWAR thus far. Only two are living up to their contracts this season, and E-Rod is probably still in the red overall, after getting paid $34 million in 2024-25 for half a win. Now, the math may change when Burnes returns, but he’ll also be starting in an overdraft situation, after missing most of last season. I’m trying to think of the last multi-season contract Arizona gave a free agent player, that turned out to be worth the money. It’s certainly been a while. I’m increasingly inclined to feel player development is perhaps more important than big-ticket free-agents.
And we welcome PhoenixSportsFan to the site, for his first guest recap of 2026! May it be a sweep-avoiding one…
May 31, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) turns a double play past Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jesus Sanchez (12) during the second inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Orioles 9 Blue Jays 5
That was bad in so many ways.
Worst of which, Jesús Sánchez was hit in the wrist by a ball thrown from the stands. They are saying he has a contusion, which is pretty much the best possible news. It was weird. Apparently, a kid(?) or young person, thought that he could throw to Sánchez and it would be caught. But, Jesús had turned away and the ball hit his wrist. Unfortunate, but no one should be throwing things from the stands.
Spencer Miles has been so good. Today he wasn’t. He went 3 innings, allowed 5 hits, 6 earned, 3 walks with 2 strikeouts. Not his day, but John had to leave him out to get some innings, as it was our second ‘bullpen’ day in three days.
Beyond that, Hayden Juenger didn’t have a great first appearance in the majors, giving up 2 hits, 3 earned, 2 walks in his inning of work.
Adam Macko (2 innings), Yariel Rodriguez (1) and Mason Fluharty (1) all put up zeros.
We had trouble with Kyle Bradish, who went 7 innings allowing just 1 unearned runs. We did get 4 runs off reliever Tyler Wells, but it was too little too late.
We had 8 hits and 4 walks. The big hit was from Yohendrick Piñango (in the game because of Sánchez’s injury), who he a home run that went 421 feet, scoring 3 of our 5 runs. Piñango, Nathan Lukes and Ernie Clement had 2 hits each. Sánchez and Charles McAdoo had one each.
No JoD today, but lets give Lips an honourable mention.
Other Award: Miles (-0.30 WPA).
Tomorrow is an off-day, which I’m sure we can all use.
BALTIMORE (AP) — Kyle Bradish pitched seven innings of four-hit ball, Colton Cowser homered and drove in four runs and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-5 Sunday.
Pete Alonso had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run for the Orioles, who mounted a 6-0 third-inning lead against rookie Spencer Miles (2-1) and coasted to the finish.
It was a complete contrast to the first three games of the series, each of which was decided by one run after the winner staged a late comeback. In earning a split, the Orioles completed an uplifting homestand in which they won seven of 10, including a three-game sweep of first-place Tampa Bay.
Bradish (3-6) allowed an unearned run, struck out four and walked three. Although it was only his second win since April 8, the right-hander has a 1.72 ERA over his past five starts.
Cowser hit a run-scoring groundout in the second inning before Baltimore took control with a five-run fifth. Alonso singled in a run and Samuel Basallo hit an RBI double before Cowser launched a three-run drive to center.
The Orioles made it 9-0 in the sixth against Hayden Juenger, making his major debut after being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday. The right-hander walked two and gave up two hits in his only inning of work.
Yohendrick Piñango hit a three-run homer for Toronto in the eighth.
Blue Jays right fielder Jesús Sánchez left the game in the sixth inning with bruised right wrist after apparently being struck by a ball thrown from the bleachers during a stoppage in play. X-rays were negative.
Up Next
Blue Jays: After taking Monday off, Toronto sends Kevin Guzman (4-3) to the mound in Atlanta on Tuesday night.
Orioles: Following a day off Monday, Baltimore starts Shane Baz (2-5) on the road Tuesday night in Boston.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 24: Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics prepares to pitch against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Petco Park on May 24, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This afternoon, the Athletics and New York Yankees will match-up in the rubber-game of their three-game series at West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park.
In the wake of dropping the series-opener 8-2, the A’s rebounded last night, evening up the series with a 6-4 victory. Home runs from left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, catcher Shea Langeliers and first baseman Nick Kurtz gave the hosts a 6-1 lead. It looked like the A’s would coast to the finish line, but the Yankees rallied for three runs in the ninth as A’s relievers Jack Perkins and Scott Barlow combined to walk five batters. Barlow replaced Perkins with the bases loaded and two outs. He proceeded to walk three straight batters before finally getting the final out. According to Associated Press writer Josh Dubow, Barlow became the first pitcher to get a save after walking three out of four batters faced in an outing.
Seeking the series win, left-hander Jacob Lopez will start for the A’s. The 28-year-old enters his 12th appearance and 10th start of the season with a 4-2 record, a 5.73 ERA, and 35 strikeouts in 48.2 innings pitched. Lopez will pitch from the outset today, a contrast to his last appearance when he followed opener Luis Medina. In that outing, he earned the win after holding the San Diego Padres to one run on six hits over 4 2/3 innings.
Lopez has struggled with his command at times this season, as reflected in his 1.77 WHIP. However, he walked just one batter against San Diego, a positive step that must continue this afternoon, especially after A’s pitchers recorded more walks than strikeouts last night. If Lopez’s command wavers and leads to free passes or mistake pitches that are driven for extra-base hits, the Athletics could find themselves in serious trouble and facing a third consecutive series loss.
Left-handed-hitting outfielders Carlos Cortes and Lawrence Butler replace right-handed hitters Henry Bolte and Colby Thomas in the A’s starting nine. Additionally, backup catcher Jonah Heim will start behind the plate in the series-finale while Langeliers gets the day off.
With Soderstrom showing signs of heating up, the Athletics will need slumping hitters Butler, designated hitter Brent Rooker and second baseman Jeff McNeil to provide more offensive production as the calendar turns to June.
The A’s offense will face Yankees’ right-hander Will Warren, who has emerged as one of New York’s most reliable starters this season. The 26-year-old enters his 12th start with a 6-1 record, a 3.55 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 65 strikeouts across 58.1 innings. Warren received a no-decision when he faced the A’s at Yankee stadium in April, limiting the team to two runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings. The A’s offense will look to make a bigger impact against the talented right-hander as the team vies for its second straight win.
The Yankees meanwhile have this lineup set for today:
New York’s lineup becomes considerably less imposing after its fearsome foursome. Further down the order, former A’s infielder Max Schuemann gets the start at second base in place of Jazz Chisholm Jr., who made the final out in yesterday’s game.
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 31: Samuel Basallo #29 of the Baltimore Orioles congratulates Colton Cowser #17 after Cowser hit a three-run home run in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 31, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Colton Cowser spearheaded a dominant Orioles start, and Kyle Bradish shut down the Blue Jays lineup, as the O’s beat the Blue Jays 9-5 to earn a series split.
After using small ball and a patient approach for their dramatic comeback Saturday, the O’s went back to small ball to take an early lead Sunday. In his first AB since his walk-off winner, Pete Alonso kicked off the 2nd with a sharp single up the middle. Samuel Basallo then worked a seven-pitch walk to move Alonso into scoring position for Leody Taveras. The Oriole’s CF laid down a perfect sac bunt right out in between the pitcher and catcher, allowing both Alonso and Basallo to move up. Colton Cowser then got the O’s on the board, hitting a ground ball just slow enough to second to bring home Alonso and give Baltimore a 1-0 lead.
Cowser, Alonso, and Basallo were then at the heart of another rally in the 3rd. Gunnar Henderson set the table with a one-out single up the middle and Adley Rutschman moved him over after a five-pitch walk. Alonso then continued to spray the ball to all fields, flipping a single into right-center to plate Henderson and grow the lead to 2-0. Basallo then continued his incredible hot streak, turning on an 0-2 slider inside and lining it into the right field corner for a double.
The big blow came from Cowser, who has turned into the Orioles’ most clutch hitter over the last eight days. With two outs and runners on second and third, the Oriole RF got a 1-1 sinker over the middle of the plate and blasted the ball into the center field bleachers. It was the third multi-run homer for Cowser in the last nine games, after his two walkoff homers earlier against Detroit and Tampa Bay.
After ending the 3rd inning rally with a long ball, Cowser began another rally in the 6th. The Milkman started the inning with a four-pitch walk. Blaze Alexander then picked up his first hit of the afternoon, singling on a line drive to center. Jackson Holliday then walked to load the bases, before Taylor Ward grounded into a fielder’s choice at second, driving home Cowser for a 7-0 lead.
Henderson then picked up his first RBI of the day, doubling to center on a first-pitch slider to bring home Alexander and grow the lead to 8-0. With Ward on third, Rutschman delivered the final run of the inning, launching a 2-2 fastball into deep center for a sac fly to make it 9-0.
The run support was more than enough for starter Kyle Bradish, who once again looked dominant in shutting down the Blue Jays lineup. Nathan Lukes led off the bottom of the 1st with a single to left, but that was one of only four hits Bradish would allow in seven innings Sunday. He’d strand Lukes by getting Vladimir Guerror Jr. to pop, getting Daulton Varsho to fly out on a lazy ball hit to left and punching out Kazuma Okamoto on a sharp slider.
Jesús Sánchez would record the Jays’ second hit off Bradish with a one-out single in the 2nd. That runner was immediately erased when Charles McAdoo bounced an up-and-in sinker to Jackson Holliday at second for a 4-6-3 double play.
The double play ball would start a stretch that saw Bradish set down five straight Blue Jays hitters, a streak that only came to an end on an Okamoto walk in the 4th. However, nothing came of that baserunner, as Bradish got Ernie Clement to fly out on a 0-1 curveball to end the inning. Bradish would repeat the feat in the 5th, walking Andrés Giménez with two outs before stranding him by getting Brandon Valenzuela to fly out.
Bradish would set down the Jays in order in the 6th, ending the inning on 72 pitches. With the score at 9-0, Craig Albernaz decided to send his starter out for another inning, which is when Toronto would finally blemish Bradish’s record. Clement started the rally with a one-out single before moving to second on Yohendrick Piñango single. McAdoo would then send a potential double-play ball to short, and while the O’s got the first out at second, Holliday’s throw sailed over Alonso and allowed Clement to score.
Bradish would limit any further damage, striking out Valenzuela to end the frame and finish his afternoon. His final line closed at 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB and 4 K. It was only his second start this season where he completed seven innings, and his fourth straight start allowing two or fewer earned runs.
Tyler Wells would take over in the 8th inning and make the game feel closer than it really was. Lukes led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a two-out walk by Okamoto. Wells then left a fastball up to Clement, who slashed a double to left to score Lukes and cut the Baltimore lead to 9-2. The righty’s cutter then caught too much of the plate against Piñango, who blasted a three-run homer onto the flag court to cut the O’s lead in half.
Rico Garcia then took over in the 9th and shut down the top of the Jays’ order to seal the win. Valenzuela started the inning with a one-pitch groundout to first. He then got Lukes to pop out to third on two pitches before getting Vladdy to pop out to Alonso to end it. The six-pitch shutdown inning was Garcia’s 21st appearance this season without allowing a hit and 15th without allowing a base runner.
The win moves the Orioles to 28-32, a game back of Toronto for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. The O’s continue their stretch against AL East opponents Tuesday when they travel to Boston to face the Red Sox.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 31: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a single in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on May 31, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Elly De La Cruz was having a stellar Sunday in the series finale against the Atlanta Braves in the series finale in Great American Ball Park, opening the day with a single, walk, stolen base, and a pair of runs scored. Things sure seemed like they were about to get even better when he led off the Bottom of the 5th with what looked like a stand-up double to the wall in right-center off Atlanta starter Spencer Strider.
Problem is, Elly never made it past 1B.
As the Cincinnati Reds star went to round 1B and head to 2B, he clearly pulled up lame – seemingly favoring his right leg as he limped back to the bag. Trainers were immediately summoned, and Elly exited the game in short order.
Uh-Oh… Elly De La Cruz is coming out of the game after pulling up just before he hit the bag at first on that hit. pic.twitter.com/hpjLSyl8Bz
It’s a brutal blow to this lineup even if he’s going to miss just a few days. If it’s longer than that – god forbid – the Reds are going to find themselves without one of the most dynamic players in the sport today.
The Reds later confirmed it was a hamstring issue that sent Elly to the shelf.
#Reds SS Elly De La Cruz left today's game with right hamstring tightness.
Matt McLain, who’s been benched often over the last few weeks as he struggles mightily offensively, was brought in off the bench to take over post-injury, but it’s hard not to wonder if Edwin Arroyo – who has been lighting up AAA all year and jumped right back up Top 50 prospect lists all over the place – might be where the Reds turn if Elly indeed is going to miss any real time.
May 13, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter (24) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
The Phillies will wrap up their western road trip with a Sunday afternoon game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After falling on Friday night, the Phillies took the second game of the series thanks to Edmundo Sosa’s home run.
Andrew Painter gets the start for the Phillies. The rookie righthander has pitched better of late and this will be his first time facing the defending champs.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jesus Sanchez had to leave Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles after getting hit by a baseball thrown from the stands in the middle of the sixth inning.
Sanchez originally stayed in the game for two batters in the bottom of the inning before he was replaced by Yohendrick Piñango.
"Jesús Sánchez was removed from today’s game with a right wrist contusion," The Blue Jays said in a statement. "He underwent precautionary X-rays that were negative for a fracture."
According to Baltimore Sun beat writer Jacob Calvin Meyer, a young fan apparently thought Sanchez was waving his glove like he wanted to play catch − as players occasionally do with fans between innings. However, Meyer reports the kid threw the ball late, after Sanchez had turned his back.
Sánchez left game after this fan interaction, ball appears to hit him in arm/wrist.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 18: Starting pitcher Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on May 18, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants are playing awful baseball, and have lost six straight. Now they’ll try to salvage a win against the Colorado Rockies in their series finale, before mercifully leaving the mountains … and taking on better teams. What could possibly go wrong?
Veteran left-hander Robbie Ray takes the mound for the Giants, with hopes of reversing his recent struggles. In 11 starts this year, the two-time All-Star is 3-6 with a 4.60 ERA, a 5.62 FIP, and 53 strikeouts to 29 walks in 58.2 innings. He’s been roughed up in his last three starts, including in his last outing, when he walked seven batters while allowing four runs in as many innings against the Chicago White Sox.
For the Rockies, it’s 28-year old right-hander Tanner Gordon, who makes his ninth appearance of the year. Gordon has mostly been used out of the bullpen for bulk innings, as this is just his second start. He’s 0-0 with a 5.85 ERA, a 4.08 FIP, and 33 strikeouts to seven walks in 32.1 innings. He got the start in his last game, and held the Los Angeles Dodgers to one run over five innings.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: Tanner Gordon #29 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 25, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
For the first time in over a month we can say this: the Colorado Rockies have not only won a series against an opponent and are now aiming for the sweep.
The Rockies started the series with a much-needed walk-off win thanks to a late-game rally and an Ezequiel Tovar home run. Then last night they continued to step on the gas by scoring eight runs before the Giants tallied their first. Now it’s time to see if they can finish the job.
The Rockies hope to bust out the brooms against the San Francisco Giants in their final series in May. That way they can leave a difficult month behind them and start June on a high note with some momentum.
On the mound for the Rockies is Tanner Gordon, who has officially been moved to full starting duty thanks to a litany of injuries to the pitching staff. The righty has been mostly used in bullpen or bulk relief duty this season, but is now coming off a strong outing in what was his first true start of the season. In five innings against the dreaded Los Angeles Dodgers, Gordon gave up just one earned run on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
On the bump for Los Gigantes is a familiar foe in veteran lefty Robbie Ray, who enters today’s contest with a 4.60 ERA and 53 strikeouts over his first 11 starts and 58.2 innings. He has struggled with his command this season, issuing 29 walks with a 4.4 BB/9 so far.
The former Cy Young winner and two-time All-Star has plenty of experience against the Rockies. However, the results are mixed. In 22 career starts against the Rockies, Ray holds a 5.24 ERA and has given up 19 home runs. He has strong strikeout numbers against Colorado with 142 punch-outs over 111.2 innings of work.
This season Ray has mostly four pitches, consisting of his primary four-seam fastball that averages 93.2 MPH, a slider, a changeup, and a knuckle curveball. The changeup has been his primary put-away pitch, but he has solid whiff induction in all three of his main breaking offerings. Ray also throws a very rare sinker. He’s used the pitch just 12 times this season, and for good reason. Opposing batters are both hitting and slugging .400 against it.
