SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 19, 2026: Chase Petty #61 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 19, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds made official the return of righty Chase Petty on Monday. The 23 year old starter was recalled from AAA Louisville to start against the Chicago Cubs in the series opener between the National League Central rivals, taking the place in the rotation of the injured Brandon Williamson (who hit the injured list late last week with shoulder fatigue).
Zach Maxwell, who’s been well-travelled between the Reds roster and Louisville’s, was optioned to make way for Petty’s return. The Reds announced the move earlier on Monday.
The #Reds today recalled from Triple-A Louisville RHP Chase Petty and optioned to Louisville RHP Zach Maxwell (post-game 5/3). pic.twitter.com/gKiHZmrRSV
The Reds are in Chicago on the back-half of a road trip that could not have gotten off to a worse start. They were absolutely drubbed in the first two games they played in PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates only for them to blow a Chase Burns gem in the series finale on Monday. As a result, they’ve slipped into a tie for 2nd in the Central with the Cubs two games ahead, and the Reds dismal -22 run differential is by far and away the worst in the division, to date.
In fact, it’s the same as the 14-21 Colorado Rockies and worse than the 13-21 Boston Red Sox, who sit dead last in the AL East. In other words, Cincinnati’s brilliance (luck?) in 1-run games, Sunday aside, is beginning to be a band-aid over cracks that are clearly showing in each of the offense, starting rotation, and bullpen.
For now, they’ll hope Petty can make the leap in this, his second year in which he’s logged big league innings. So far, he’s pitched to a 4.38 ERA at AAA at age 23, a mark that’s included a couple bad blips and some bouts of brilliance. He also pitched quite well in the spring, including in the Spring Breakout game, and hopefully that’s more who he is than the 22 year old kid who was shelled for 13 ER in just 6.0 IP in a trio of appearances with the Reds last season.
First pitch on Monday was moved up half an hour due to weather in the Chicago area, and is set for 6:10 PM CT (7:10 PM ET).
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 24: A detailed picture of the Rawlings glove worn by Jackson Chourio #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on March 24, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Winners of five of their last seven games, the Brewers travel to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals for the first time since last fall. After splitting the 12-game season series a year ago, right-handed pitcher Chad Patrick will take the mound at the start of a three-game series.
Much like last season, Patrick has been used in various situations this season, but tonight he will make his fifth start of the year. Last season, Patrick faced the Cardinals on two separate occasions, each lasting 4 1/3 innings, with similar line scores. This season, Patrick has a 2.57 ERA through six games, striking out 16 hitters and walking 13.
Pitching for St. Louis, making his seventh start of the season, is right-hander Kyle Leahy. It’s been a bit of a rough start out of the gate this season, allowing at least two runs in each appearance, but at least three runs in his last three outings. With that, Leahy enters today with a 3-3 record, 5.52 ERA through 29 1/3 innings pitched.
The last 24 hours have been a rollercoaster of speculation, as yesterday afternoon, Brewers No. 4 prospect Cooper Pratt was a late scratch in Triple-A Nashville’s Sunday afternoon contest. However, those wishing for a glimpse at the future will have to wait a little while longer, as Pratt was not included in today’s transactions.
On the other hand, the Brewers add two big pieces back to their lineup, as Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn were both reinstated from the 10-day IL. With these moves, outfielder Blake Perkins will be optioned to Nashville, and outfielder Greg Jones will be designated for assignment.
Vaughn last appeared on opening day against the Chicago White Sox, where he drove in a run on one hit. before hitting the IL. Chourio had a fantastic spring where he went 8-for-30, tallying a double, a home run, and driving in three. In the World Baseball Classic, Chourio played five games for Venezuela, where he had only three hits in 15 at-bats. After a scary moment in his final rehab game, both he and Vaughn have the green light in St. Louis.
Perkins has been a mainstay on the bench over the last couple of seasons, providing consistency throughout his four-year career in Milwaukee. However, he has been hard to plug into the lineup with how his play has been, as he’s batting .109 on the season with five RBIs, one stolen base, and no home runs. Over the last seven games, he has just one hit, and going back to the beginning of the year, he has accumulated just five hits overall.
For Jones, he was called up in mid-April and never found his footing. In his 21 at-bats with the Brewers, he recorded just two hits, driving in one run. It’ll be interesting to see if Jones is able to clear through waivers and if we’ll see him again at some point this season.
As you see below, the Brewers lineup already looks much improved as Chourio will bat second in tonight’s opener, while Vaughn serves as tonight’s designated hitter, batting sixth.
Like most nights, you’ll be able to watch today’s game on Brewers.TV, WTMJ 620, and the Brewers Radio network. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m.
On Monday, manager Aaron Boone spoke about the decision, saying he spoke to Volpe before the announcement was made.
“We want him to have the best chance to be successful, and we have to acknowledge, first how well (Jose Caballero) has played,” Boone said. “He’s been a key factor in us getting off to a really good start this year on both sides of the ball, on the basepaths. So, it’s really as simple as that. It doesn’t change how we feel about Anthony or the kind of player we think he is and will be. But in this moment of time, we felt like this was absolutely the right thing to do, and a lot of that has to do with…. We have a lot of really good players right now competing for real roles and real spots. I think that competition ultimately is going to be a great thing for us.
“So right now, I think this is the right choice for us, I think it’s the right thing to do even for Anthony, and hopefully this gives him even more time to accumulate those everyday reps, and we’ll keep evaluating.”
Caballero has a .711 OPS this season, while playing a strong defensive shortstop as well.
According to Boone, Volpe will stay at shortstop for now, though he wouldn’t rule out future conversations about moving Volpe around the infield.
That means that top prospect George Lombard Jr. will “bounce around” a bit, with Boone noting that Lombard already has experience playing second and third base.
Boone was asked about what he’ll remember most about Sterling.
“One of a kind. An amazing career, an amazing life,” Boone said. “The soundtrack for so many New Yorkers and Yankees fans over the years.
“Like so many Yankees fans, any time there’s a big moment or a big game, man, I couldn’t wait to get home and ‘I wanna hear how John called this.’ And just such a nice man.”
In fact, Boone is such a fan that he’s started mimicking Sterling’s iconic call after every Yankees win.
“When we win, I still do this, and my coaches look at me like I’m nuts. I don’t even know if they know what I’m doing,” he said. “As soon as that final out is made and I get up to shake players hands, I go ‘Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeeeee Yankees win!’ and I’m shaking all my coaches’ hands, so I get goosebumps thinking about that.”
TORONTO, ON- MARCH 29 - Right fielder Addison Barger #47 of the Toronto Blue Jays as the Toronto Blue Jays play the Athletics at Rogers Centre in Toronto. March 29, 2026. Steve Russell/Toronto Star (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
There is a whole mess of injury news this afternoon:
George Springer hit some pitches and says he ‘feels great’. He isn’t starting today, but he’ll be available off the bench and should start tomorrow. That’s gotta be the best possible result after he got hit on the broken toe just two days ago.
Addison Barger will play with the Bisons tomorrow and likely Wednesday and then should be back with the Jays on the weekend.
Alejandro Kirk will start swinging a bat later this week, which surprised me. I figured it wouldn’t be for a bit yet. But if he can do it, that’s great. I guess it is all on how much pain he can handle.
Max Scherzer is ‘feeling better’. I don’t know what that means. I don’t know if he’ll be back right away.
Yimi Garcia will start a rehab assignment later this week. It shouldn’t take to long for him to be ready to job the Jays after that.
José Berríos will meet up with the Jays in Tampa. And then they will talk about the next step. They don’t have to activate him from the IL if he’s not ready and if he isn’t throwing well….I don’t see putting him on the roster.
Today’s lineup is similar to yesterday’s, minus Sosa and Heineman, and Varsho is DH today. He was having some better at bats yesterday. Hopefully that will continue.
Today’s Lineups
BLUE JAYS
RAYS
Yohendrick Pinango – LF
Chandler Simpson – LF
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
Junior Caminero – 3B
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
Ryan Vilade – RF
Jesus Sanchez – RF
Yandy Diaz – DH
Ernie Clement – 2B
Jonathan Aranda – 1B
Daulton Varsho – DH
Jonny DeLuca – CF
Myles Straw – CF
Ben Williamson – 2B
Andres Gimenez – SS
Nick Fortes – C
Brandon Valenzuela – C
Taylor Walls – SS
Eric Lauer – LHP
Nick Martinez – RHP
SB has a new system for polls, so I’m trying it out after having a failure with a poll last week.
Start with this: There's no replacing Tarik Skubal.
The Detroit Tigers are well aware that there's no readymade replacement for the reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner. But that doesn't mean they have to cash in their chances at winning their first American League pennant since 2012 – or their first World Series title since 1984.
Detroit suffered a significant blow when manager A.J. Hinch revealed Skubal will undergo elbow surgery to remove loose bodies from his throwing arm, a procedure that will sideline him into the second half – and probably right up to the Aug. 3 trading deadline, when the club will assess its spot in the standings and decide whether to add or subtract from its roster.
At 18-17, the Tigers are in a five-team dogfight in the AL Central, one that figures to come down to Detroit, Cleveland and perhaps Kansas City. And with nine AL teams within four games of the .500 mark, the wild card spot should be even more of a taffy pull.
The Tigers certainly suffered a setback, but all is not lost. A look at the ramifications of Skubal's injury and how they may bounce back:
Pitching chaos is a given in Detroit, even with Tarik Skubal
Kind of appropriate that on the day Skubal's surgery was announced, Hinch anointed reliever Tyler Holton the starting pitcher for their May 4 game against visiting Boston.
"Second bullpen game in a row," Hinch noted.
And so it begins.
"Pitching chaos" has been a way of life in Detroit since the end of the 2024 season, when the Tigers rode Skubal and a menagerie of mound men to a startling late-season rally for a wild card spot and a playoff sweep of Houston before losing a stirring five-game ALDS to Cleveland.
In the years since, the Tigers have done their level best to avoid that scenario, re-signing Jack Flaherty, coaxing future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander back to the D and investing $115 million in lefty Framber Valdez.
But just when it looked like they were out ... the openers are back in.
So it goes when 10 pitchers are on the injured list, including bona fide starters Verlander, 2025 All-Star Casey Mize, Tommy John-rehabbing youngster Jackson Jobe and now Skubal. Yet Hinch is really, really good at orchestrating the pitching strategy, even if they may not know who's starting the next game until everyone shows up the following day.
So bring on the Holtons and Brant Hurters and Brenan Hanifees and Ty Maddens. Detroit, this is your pitching staff. Hey, it's worked before.
Framber Valdez must be a rock for Tigers without Tarik Skubal
The dude has pitched the Astros to a World Series title, is almost a lock for 180 to 200 innings a year and is hard to drive from a game. Now Valdez, signed to be a future anchor once Skubal leaves via free agency, must be their rock, immediately.
So far, Valdez has been, well, fine.
He's completed at least six innings in five of his seven starts, and uncoincidentally, the Tigers are 5-2 when he takes the mound. A .714 winning percentage will win a lot of divisions.
Valdez is not a threat to throw a no-hitter every time out like Skubal is. Yet he almost always keeps you in games, and that's a bargain these days at $115 million. If he can maintain, the Tigers should be fine.
Jack Flaherty must find the strike zone
With a 5.90 ERA through seven starts, Jack Flaherty knows he must be better. Says he's losing sleep over his performance. And realizes that a 17.7% walk rate and a 46.3% hard-hit percentage is a lethal combination.
Jack Flaherty: "I'm losing sleep over it every single day trying to figure out what goes on in that little bit right there, where we end up walking three guys in a row."
Here's more from Flaherty, who opened up about his struggles after Friday's 5-4 loss to the Rangers: pic.twitter.com/drkJvBOYZu
Look at it like this: The Tigers are right at .500, and Flaherty couldn't be much worse. With the bullpen arms stretched thin thanks to the above chaos, Flaherty will have to give them more than four innings pitched, his average outing thus far.
Detroit's wounded arms claw back from IL
GM Scott Harris knew he was signing a 43-year-old when he brought Justin Verlander back to Detroit. Thirty starts was probably never going to be reality.
And the club has nursed Verlander along in his return from hip inflammation, which sidelined him in April. Yet Verlander hasn't graduated beyond numerous bullpen sessions, with vague plans beyond that after Hinch acknowledged the recovery was going "slower than I think he or we anticipated."
Meanwhile, Casey Mize, second only to Skubal in his effectiveness this season, hit the IL last week with a right adductor strain. A vexing injury, and a discouraging prognosis after Mize initially said his groin tightness didn't seem too serious.
The Tigers have to get Mize's recovery right the first time, regardless of the length of his absence. Even if it's tough to shelve a 2.90 ERA.
Tarik Skubal returns with a vengeance after attacking recovery
Let's not forget: Skubal is a beast.
The man with the nastiest fastball-changeup combo in the majors will surely attack his rehab and recovery with ferocity. And while the Tigers, like almost any organization in this era, will keep it vague on the prognosis and timeline, the two to three months that this surgery typically takes away will be a ticking clock for both the patient, the ballclub and fans.
No, Skubal won't be able to speedrun his return. But if he at least hits the early part of the timeline and can work back up to something resembling full strength by mid-August, the Tigers will be well-armed for the stretch run and potentially the playoffs.
It's on Hinch and club president Scott Harris to ensure they're well-positioned when that time comes.
As you know, tonight’s game time was moved up because there is a chance of rain this evening. Here’s the local radar for you to keep handy.
Monday notes…
STREAKING, PART 1: The Cubs have won 11 straight games at home. It is their 19th double-digit home winning streak of the Modern Era, which began in 1901, and their 15th at Wrigley Field, their home since 1916. This is their first such streak since they won 14 in a row, May 18-June 22, 2008. A 13-game streak in 2001 and a 10-game streak in 1998 are their only others of the kind since 1970. Their record is 18 straight, Sept. 4-22, 1935, during a surge that lifted them to the pennant. The 2008 streak was one of five of 14 games. The 2001 streak was the only one of 13. They also had a lone streak of 12, in 1927, and of 11, in 1910, for a total now of 11 streaks of at least 11 in a row. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
STREAKING, PART 2: The 1910 streak was the only one that ended after 11 games, with a 3-1 loss to the Cardinals in Game 2 of a Memorial Day doubleheader. The Cubs extended the 2001 streak to 12 by beating the Twins, 11-4. They hit five home runs, two of them by Sammy Sosa, who drove in five runs. The 12th win in 2012 was a 4-3 walk-off over the White Sox. Aramis Ramirez homered on the second pitch of the ninth inning. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
FIFTEEN AND THREE: The Cubs are 15-3 in their last 18 games, their best 18-game record since they also were 15-3 from Sept. 12-30, 2017. They were 15-3 in nine spans, many overlapping, in 2016, and in four spans in 2015. The last time they were better was 16-2, from July 27-Aug. 15, 2015. Their previous 16-2 stretch was May 19-June 9, 2001. The Cubs were 18-0 in four overlapping spans in 1935 and 17-1 in 23 spans, many overlapping, in 1906, 1932 and 1935. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY:The Cubs swept a doubleheader from the Dodgers at Wrigley Field by scores of 7-1 and 4-3. These were scheduled seven-inning games; the nightcap went to extras and the Cubs walked it off on a David Bote single in the ninth. It happened five years ago today, Tuesday, May 4, 2021.
Edward Cabrera has been pretty consistent throughout this season. His K rate has been down a bit from last year, but he’s still been getting outs, most of the time, and keeping the ball in the yard (just three home runs allowed in 35.1 innings).
The last time he faced the Reds was April 22, 2025 in Miami. He allowed three runs in five innings with no walks and seven strikeouts. Again, that’s pretty much what he’s done with the Cubs so far. Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer have homered off him.
Chase Petty is being recalled to take Brandon Williamson’s spot in the Reds rotation. Williamson has shoulder issues.
Petty was the Twins’ No. 1 pick (22nd overall) in 2021 and came to the Reds the following year in the Sonny Gray trade. He made three appearances (two starts) for the Reds last year and the results were not good: 19.20 ERA, 3.667 WHIP, 14 hits and eight walks in six innings, with three home runs allowed. At Triple-A Louisville this year he has a 4.38 ERA and 1.338 WHIP in six starts covering 24.2 innings. His walk rate is still pretty high (11 walks in Triple-A this year). As you can see from the 2025 chart below, he throws hard but doesn’t always know where the ball is going.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 28: A detailed view of the "Cobra" patch honoring the late former Pirate Dave Parker worn on the jersey of Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the ninth inning of a major league baseball game at Oracle Park on July 28, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lovullo is an idiot.
“Why don’t the diamondbacks dfa lovulululu. He’s an idiot.”
Such a thoughtful phrase might have come from a nowadays philosopher. Something like Kant, but reflectioning on baseball instead of economics. But, no, it was Zekedos2 on mlbtraderumors.com, commenting on the article that Aramis García was DFAd by the Diamondbacks after reinstating Gabriel Moreno.
The Diamondbacks are gifted with a terrific bullpen, one of the best in the league. Their 19th ranked 0.3 fWAR does not do right to the potential, nor does their .263 BABIP. This bullpen is World Series level.
The 0.4 fWAR of the rotation is not a true reflection of how great the starting pitching actually is. Their 30th ranked position is a fluke. These starting pitchers are way better than you might think. The .311 BABIP says so.
The offence isn’t mediocre like their 3.5 fWAR might indicate. This is an elite hitting squad. We only need our first basemen to get back from their injuries to reach our full potential and hit our way to the play-offs.
Unbelievable that we got swept by the Cubs. This team is so much better than their 16-17 record indicates. What? We were 16-14 before getting our butt kicked in Wrigleyville? I laugh at your 16-14. The White Sox beat us. The Dodgers swept us. We lost a game against every NL East opponent. We should have been at 22-11 now, leading the league comfortably.
Unfortunately Zekedos2 hides his geniality behind a nick, but just like with Banksy, all geniuses will eventually get revealed.
Who is not a genius? Lovullo. Handed a terrific roster, Lovullo is a complete idiot.
Pirates are no idiots.
Jack Sparrow looked like an idiot and certainly behaved like one, but wasn’t a idiot, though the rum might disagree with that statement. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a bit like the Pirates of the Caribbean. After watching the second installment of the series, you have seen them all: the entire Pirates of the Caribbean franchise becomes a drag. That’s how a Pittsburgh Pirates’ fan must feel: since 2017 the Pirates of the NL Central end 4 or 5 in each season, no matter how their season (movie went). Maybe this year is their best movie of the entire franchise since 2017, but the result is still the same: they are last in their division.
The crew, though, looks better than in previous seasons, because the directors actually tried to make work this off-season of putting some decent acting on the set.
Padre Ryan O’Hearn signed a two-year $29MM contract as free agent.
Slugger Marcell Ozuna joined the team on a one year $12MM contract.
Reliever Gregory Soto signed for $7.75MM and one season.
Brandon Lowe was acquired in a 3-team trade from the Tampa Bay Rays, with one year left on his contract.
Though Marcell Ozuna still has not found his groove yet in Steel City, the influx of hitting talent into that batting lineup has done the Pirates well. Last year the Pittsburgh offence was 28th in the league, according to their fWAR, with their 117 homeruns being the lowest total in the entire league, 31 less than division rival St. Louis Cardinals. Now? That same fWAR and WRC+ puts them in the top 10 of the MLB. Except for the catching (Henry Davis / Joey Bart) and designated hitter (Marcell Ozuna), the entire Pittsburgh lineup has a 100+ OPS+, with Brandon Lowe (141 OPS+), Bryan Reynolds (136 OPS+), Ryan O’Hearn (141 OPS+) and Oneil Cruz (126 OPS+) posing the biggest threads. Nick Gonzales and Konnor Griffin have been on a hot streak the past two weeks.
The Pittsburgh hitters are coming off an especially successful weekend bashing of the Reds: 27 runs in 3 games. That halted a 5-game losing streak, despite scoring 18 runs over those.
Pitching wise, their 5 saves are almost league lowest, leaving only the Angels and the Mets behind them. A team that scores many, does not need to save many. That is true, but closer Dennis Santana is not the trustworthy sailor he was last year, with way more walks and less strikeouts, when compared to 2025. The two blown saves are the proof of that, though the latest one, giving up 4 runs against Cardinals on April 27, was just the second time he gave up a run or more this season.
Their starting pitching is top of the league: xERA, xFIP, FIP and fWAR all puts the Pirates in the top 5 of the MLB. Obviously, ace Paul Skenes is a big reason for that, but the Pirates are also enjoying great starts from Brandon Ashcraft and Mitch Keller as well. Carmen Mlodzinski and Bubba Chandler round out a starting rotation with all ERAs below 5.00.
Last year the Diamondbacks lost their season series against Pirates (4-2), the year before was the other way around. Arizona has an all-time 104-77 record against Pittsburgh.
Matchups.
Game #1 Tue 05/05 6:40 PM MST, Eduardo Rodríguez (ARI) vs Bubba Chandler (PIT).
If there is one matchup that provides the Diamondbacks the biggest chance to win a game in this series, it is the one on the first night.
It were 3 games of fun with E-Rod, until the WBC magic was over and E-Rod turned into E-Rotten again. Baltimore might have been a fluke, but the struggles continued against the White Sox and Brewers. With the Pirates, the Venezuelan certainly won’t face an easier lineup than those of recent weeks.
Bubba Chandler is the weakest link in the Pirates’ rotation at the moment, strugging heavily with his command. He has huge troubles getting the batters out and has been walking them at a 6.2 BB/9 rate. It’s a tough blow for one of the biggest Pirates prospects after a good start of his career last year. Especially left-handed batting has been feasting on his pitching, which sounds like a great opportunity for the Diamondbacks to win this first game.
Both starting pitchers have never faced their opponent for their (current) team.
Game #2 Wed 05/06 6:40 PM MST, Michael Soroka (ARI) vs Paul Skenes (PIT).
If Soroka wants to bounce back after a horrible performance against Milwaukee, he will have to return to his former best of the beginning of the season if he wishes to beat Paul Skenes.
Skenes was terrible in his opening day start, getting just two batters out against the Mets, giving up 5 runs. After that he looked pretty much like the ace he is until he encountered a bump in the road against St. Louis in his most recent pitching performance, where he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings, though he struck out 9.
Last season Skenes pitched twice against the Diamondbacks and, obviously, won both matchups. 20 snakes have been killed by this Pirate in 18 innings of work. Ouch!
Game #3 Thu 05/07 12:40 PM MST, Zac Gallen (ARI) vs Mitch Keller (PIT).
After a tiny scare against the Padres, Zac Gallen returned to the mound against the Chicago Cubs and…well, he returned to the mound. Maybe he is able to regain a bit of his former himself against the Pirates. Gallen faced the Pirates twice last season and, like you might expect, he lost both games, giving up 10 runs over 11 innings.
2026 is Keller’s 8th season as a Pirate. He has a been a very reliable and durable pitcher for the Pirates since the 2022 season, a bit like Merrill Kelly, but with less spectacular results. However, this season he has been performing like an ace for the Pirates. BABIP says he will regress, most likely to the low 4.00 ERA pitching we are used of him, so why won’t we start with that regression to the mean this Thursday. Keller didn’t face the Diamondbacks last season and has 4 no-decisions in the 5 times he pitched against Arizona. The sole win was at Chase Field in 2022 and the other two times he took the ball in Arizona he completed 7 innings in both games, allowing 0 and 2 runs. We better be warned.
May 3, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies hats and gloves sit on the bench against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
This is certainly not the worst-case scenario. Yet, it's a reality that Tarik Skubal – and the Detroit Tigers – always had to be prepared to accept.
Skubal and the Tigers entered into an uneasy limbo this season, Skubal knowing he'd be just six months from a payday approaching $500 million by not entertaining long-term extension talks – and the Tigers potentially left holding the bag if they didn't trade him.
Both sides assumed risk, and each will take a hit. Skubal's recovery will determine how big that will be.
For the Tigers? This significantly dents their chances in this all-in year, the last season they'll employ the back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner before he plays the rich and desperate against each other this winter and wins Major League Baseball's equivalent of Powerball.
For Skubal? Well, this is not Tommy John surgery heading into a walk year, nor a concerning shoulder or rotator cuff malady and certainly not something career-threatening such as certain strains of thoracic outlet syndrome.
Yet, he will be sidelined into the second half, his dreams of a third consecutive Cy Young Award dashed. He will take into his walk year not a major league-leading strikeout total but rather a concerning number like 15 or 17 in the "Games Started" column.
Not exactly what suitors want to see when doling out the largest contract in history to a free agent starting pitcher.
Suddenly, Skubal and the Tigers will have to imagine life without him on the mound until, say, Aug. 1. That would leave him roughly 10 to 12 starts down the stretch to both reestablish his market – and push the Tigers back into the playoffs.
That latter part has been more complicated than Detroit imagined.
The Tigers are 18-17, in large part because they've lost 14 of 20 away from Comerica Park, and also because they've lost a fair amount of pitching to the IL already. From All-Star Casey Mize to serviceable Reese Olson to ancient Justin Verlander, the infirmary is bursting with starters already.
That said, almost any team can conjure an injury sob story. Despite the startling contributions from rookie Kevin McGonigle – on his way to Rookie of the Year honors and an All-Star nod with his .315 average and .884 OPS – the Tigers have played unevenly thus far.
And find themselves in a surprisingly thick AL Central race.
All five teams are within three games of each other – even the 15-20 Minnesota Twins, who are aiming to contest a 162-game season minus a bullpen. Nearing the end of the first quarter, it's a division where separation seems elusive.
In that vein, the Tigers should consider themselves fortunate that owner Christopher Illitch loosened the purse strings and OK'd a $115 million investment in Framber Valdez, who has been his typically steady self, aveaging nearly six innings a start with a 3.35 ERA.
Nope, not Skubal numbers. But enough to keep Detroit afloat.
And as Skubal joins Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene and Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz on the recovery road from surgery to remove loose bodies, that's as good as Detroit can hope for right now. Nor can they rely on significant help from within (the top starters in their minor league system are at least a year away) or the trade market (not when roughly 25 teams are loosely contending in this year of parity).
So it's Framber and Jack, and Tarik, please hurry back.
Mize should eventually rejoin the fray, though adductor strains can be testy. Keider Montero will have to continue throwing the ball well, though his track record suggests he be additive value from a sixth starter role than a guy you're relying on.
And who are we kidding? None of them are Skubal, who in his first seven starts saw dips in his strikeouts per nine innings (from 11.1 to 9.3) and adjusted ERA (187 to 161). It's likely his elbow's been barking for a minute, before it became publicly known after he left his most recent start.
And now it's surgery, rehab, build back up, get back on the mound - and see exactly where the Tigers are in the standings. Shoot, if the bottom falls out, Skubal himself could be on the trade market, though dealing for him by the Aug. 3 deadline may purely be a buyer beware situation if he hasn't returned yet.
What a bummer, for all involved.
Skubal and the Tigers both knew this was a potential outcome. You also can't fault them for going all-in, in their own ways.
Now, a pitcher's pot of gold and a city's championship hopes must be put on hold, dampening what was to be a glorious summer in the D.
The Detroit Tigers will be without ace Tarik Skubal for the foreseeable future, as the two-time AL Cy Young award winner is set to undergo surgery to remove loose bodies in his throwing elbow.
Before the injury designation, the left-hander was the presumptive favorite to win a third straight American League Cy Young.
With Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet already on the shelf, Skubal's lengthy absence sends the AL Cy Young odds into chaos.
With Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal likely on the shelf for the next couple of months, the AL Cy Young race is suddenly wide open and very interesting. Tigers fans may not find much solace in that, though.
New York Yankees duo Cam Schlittler and Max Fried have immediately leapt to the front of the line at +250 and +350, respectively. Schlittler has been borderline untouchable in his first full MLB season, going 4-1 with a 1.51 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 31.4% strikeout rate compared to a 3.8% walk rate. The 25-year-old has earned his status as the favorite, perhaps even had Skubal not been sidelined.
Fried has been quite effective, though in a much different way, with a 2.39 ERA and a 21.4% strikeout rate, relying more on inducing soft contact than blowing hitters away.
Fourteen pitchers are drawing odds shorter than 50/1, showing how crowded the field is with Skubal and Garrett Crochet hurt, and someone like Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (+6000) struggling.
AL Cy Young pick to make now
Pick: Dylan Cease (+500 at FanDuel)
I don't love the landscape right now. Schlittler is probably a good option, but he's also at least somewhat unproven as a sophomore starter, and +220 is too short relative to the risk involved.
Similarly, Fried's tendency to pitch to contact will inflate his numbers at some point.
You may lean more toward Soriano at slightly longer odds, but he's vastly outpitching his career norms and his peripherals. I fear regression is coming for him.
So, I'm settling on Cease. He pitches for a team that should be in the mix for a playoff spot with World Series odds of +2500, has more strikeouts than any other pitcher in MLB since 2021, has consistently logged a ton of innings, and is finally pitching in front of a top-tier defense that will help keep his ERA down. I'd like the line to be a bit higher, but none of the long shots inspire much confidence at the moment.
What this means for Skubal
Only a few short months ago, Skubal won his arbitration case against the Tigers to earn a record $32-million salary in 2026. He hasn't agreed to an extension and is slated to hit free agency at season's end.
A third straight Cy Young award would have resulted in an unfathomably huge contract, and while he will almost certainly get paid an absurd amount of money to the layman, this injury puts the ceiling of a potential deal in at least some doubt.
Whether that means a short-term pillow deal with opt-out clauses and a high annual salary or a deep-pocketed (*cough* Dodgers *cough*) team saying "screw it" and giving him the deal he desired in the first place, remains to be seen. That it's not Tommy John surgery should at least curb some concern, especially if he finishes strong and healthy down the stretch.
One other wrinkle is what happens if the Tigers fall out of the race? At 18-17, Detroit is tied for the AL Central lead, but is also only three games ahead of the last-place Minnesota Twins. Skubal, injured or not, would definitely be the most sought-after player at the trade deadline if he were to become available.
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CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 29: Tomoyuki Sugano #11 of the Colorado Rockies reacts during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 29, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With a spring storm approaching Denver, the Rockies have moved their series-opening game against the Mets up three hours to 3:40 p.m. today. The weather could throw a curveball for the entire three-game series with rain, thunderstorms and/or snow forecasted for Tuesday through Thursday.
With warmer temperatures reaching the 70s by early afternoon, thunderstorms and hail are possible later Monday. The Rockies and Mets could be in a race against the weather.
🌦️ An afternoon cold front will bring a few showers and rumbles of thunder, higher coverage north of Denver. Low severe/hail risk. Early high near 70° before the front.
🌧️ Cold with a rain/snow mix tomorrow, with steadier snow after dark tomorrow and Wednesday morning.#COwxpic.twitter.com/bfBY1Pc0MH
A winter storm watch alert has been issued beginning on Tuesday at 8 p.m. It is calling for three to nine inches of snow in some parts of the Denver Metro area.
🎲Probability of Winter Storm Impacts❄️
Graphic shows probability of at least minor winter storm impacts. Nearly certain across mountains, Front Range Foothills, and I-25 Corridor. Full probabilistic impact dataset at https://t.co/FHqnq2RUCF#COwxpic.twitter.com/tIDYdL1SlQ
The Rockies (14-21) are coming off being swept by the Braves and are still looking their first win of the homestand. It could come against the MLB-worst Mets (12-22), who Colorado swept in New York in April.
It would be a good day to not have a traditional, high-scoring, long Coors Field game. If the forecasts are correct, then Colorado is sending the right man to the mound. Tomoyuki Sugano is 3-1 in six starts this season with a 2.84 ERA in 31.2 innings with 21 strikeouts and nine walks. Sugano has surrendered only one run in 11 innings in his last two starts, recording wins over the Padres and Reds.
In order to try to shake things up and help a rotation that’s struggled thus far this season, the Mets will be deploying RHP Huascar Brazobán as an opener today. In 14 appearances in relief, Brazobán is 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA in 15.2 innings with 13 strikeouts and three walks.
LHP David Peterson is expected to eat up the middle innings for the Mets. Peterson (0-4, 6.53 ERA) started the season in the bullpen and was so ineffective that he was moved to the bullpen. He’s made five starts in seven appearances. He returned to the rotation on April 29, but was hit hard by the Nationals, who put up seven runs on five hits with three walks (and five strikeouts) before being pulled after 3.2 innings.
May the 4th be with you to all who celebrate!
First Pitch: 3:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
Juan Soto – LF Bo Bichette – SS MJ Melendez – RF Mark Vientos – 1B Brett Baty – 3B Marcus Semien – 2B Carson Benge – CF Francisco Alvarez – DH Luis Torrens – C
SP: Huascar Brazobán – RHP
Rockies lineup
Mickey Moniak – LF Tyler Freeman – DH TJ Rumfield – 1B Hunter Goodman – C Willi Castro – 2B Jordan Beck – RF Kyle Karros – 3B Ezequiel Tovar – SS Brenton Doyle – CF
SP: Tomoyuki Sugano – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 5:40 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 09: Zach Cole (16) of the Houston Astros bats during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 09, 2026 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Astros have recalled OF Zach Cole and designated OF Daniel Johnson for assignment.
The club has reinstated OF Zach Dezenzo from the Injured List and optioned him to Triple A Sugar Land.
Cole, 25, was a 2022 10th round pick by the Astros who burst on the scene last year after a swing adjustment.
Cole began last season at Double-A Corpus Christi, where he batted .267 with a .363 OBP and an .868 OPS in 307 AB. He smashed 14 HR and 19 doubles, with 6 triples and 15 stolen bases before being promoted to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Cole continued to excel with the Space Cowboys, batting .353 with a .459 OBP and 1.204 OPS over 15 games with 5 HR and 16 RBI. That performance earned him a call up to Houston.
With the Astros last season, Cole hit .255 with a .327 OBP and an .880 OPS, hitting 4 HR and 2 doubles in 47 AB. His strong showing late in the season last year had him in line to compete for a starting job with the Astros this season, one in which he clearly had an inside track.
However a poor spring training landed him in Triple-A to start the season, and a broken toe suffered on a hit-by-pitch 3 days onto the season kept him out of the lineup for a month.
Since returning to the Space Cowboys 4/23, Cole is 5×20 with a homer, double, triple, 5 walks, 4 runs and 3 RBI.
CANADA - MAY 31: Rick Leach (Photo by Jeff Goode/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
Rick Leach turns 69 today.
In 1979, the Tigers picked him 13th overall. Leach reached the majors in the 1981 strike season, hitting .193/.320/.289 in 83 at-bats, mainly pinch-hitting with some first and right field. He played three seasons for Detroit without much success at the plate before his release.
After leaving Detroit, the Blue Jays signed him before the 1984 season. He spent five seasons with the Jays, playing DH, first base, right field, left field, and occasionally center field. He even pitched an inning in 1984, though it went poorly: two walks, two hits, a home run. He hit fairly well. In 1986, he posted a .308/.335/.435 line; in 1987, .282/.371/.405. Still, he lacked the power and speed expected of a corner outfielder, but as a fourth outfielder, he was solid.
His time in Toronto had challenges as well. In 1986, Leach tested positive for a recreational drug, resulting in a 60-day suspension and mandatory treatment.
In 5 years with the Jays, Rick hit .283/.34/.391 with 8 home runs and 95 RBI in 763 at-bats. After Toronto, Leach played a season with the Giants and Rangers before leaving baseball at 33. He was a likable, fan-favourite fourth outfielder, but with Bell, Barfield and Moseby in the outfield, he had no chance at a full-time role. Still, he was a useful lefty off the bench.
He was a favourite of mine partly because, back in the day, I played Statis Pro Baseball and Strat-O-Matic Baseball. Rick had good numbers in 1986 and 1987, which gave him a valuable card in those games.
Leach was also a solid college football quarterback and was a fifth-round Broncos pick in 1979.
Wishing Rick a happy 69th birthday.
Also having birthdays:
Miguel Cairo turns 52. Signed by the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent, he played 17 MLB seasons. His debut was with the Jays, who acquired him and Bill Risley for Edwin Hurtado and Paul Menhart. After 9 games (.222/.300/.296), he was traded to the Cubs for Jason Stevenson, who never made the majors. Cairo played 1,490 MLB games, hitting .264/.314/.361 with a 7.7 bWAR.
Max Castillo turns 27. An international free agent signed by the Jays in 2015, he pitched in 9 games (2 starts) for them in 2022. In August, he and Samad Taylor were traded to the Royals for Whit Merrifield. He pitched 12 games for the Royals in 2022 and 2023 and is now in the Phillies farm system.
Butch Alberts turns 76. He played 6 games for the Jays in 1978, hitting .278/.278/.333. Butch and Pat Kelly were traded to the Angels for Ron Fairly in 1977.
What are loose bodies? About the Tarik Skubal injury
Loose bodies are fragments of bone, cartilage or both that have broken off and float freely inside a joint. In a pitcher’s elbow, they are typically caused by the extreme stress of throwing. The violent snapping motion of releasing a pitch, repeated thousands of times over a career, causes bone and cartilage to chip away. It usually comes from the back of the elbow. Those fragments can move around the joint, causing locking, catching, pain and loss of range of motion.
It’s not an uncommon injury for pitchers. Skubal himself has had significant elbow problems before, including Tommy John surgery in 2017 and flexor tendon surgery in 2022. This procedure is generally considered less serious than either of those.
How serious is Tarik Skubal's upcoming surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive. Surgeons insert a small camera and instruments into the joint through tiny incisions to locate and remove the fragments. Recovery varies widely by each pitcher. Atlanta’s Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep both had loose body surgery this spring within days of each other. Schwellenbach was placed on the 60-day IL and still had not thrown two months later. Waldrep was throwing bullpen sessions within weeks. Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz had the surgery in April and is expected to miss about four months.
Skubal’s situation will be clearer once he consults with doctors and schedules the procedure.
Bottom line: Tarik Skubal injury will cost Tigers ace time in contract year
There were warning signs. In his last start, Skubal shook his left arm mid-inning, grabbed his forearm and called catcher Dillon Dingler to the mound. He stayed in and finished seven innings and told reporters on May 3 he felt fine going through his between-starts routine. Later that day, however, Skubal told manager A.J. Hinch something had flared up. He underwent imaging where the loose bodies were identified.
It’s obviously a blow for the Tigers, but also one for Skubal. He is in the final year of his contract and expected to command one of the largest pitching deals in baseball history this offseason. The injury adds uncertainty to that picture heading into what should have been a showcase season.
Cam Schlittler 
Dylan Cease 
Jose Soriano 
Jacob deGrom 
Gavin Williams
Bryan Woo 
Drew Rasmussen
Framber Valdez
Taj Bradley
