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On the same day that storm clouds delayed the Los Angeles Dodgers' series finale against the Nationals in Washington, D.C Sunday, April 5, the team has also gotten some clarity on the injury to star shortstop Mookie Betts.

The Dodgers are placing Betts on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, manager Dave Roberts announced pregame. In the corresponding roster move, the team has recalled infielder Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Betts drew a walk in his lone plate appearance in the top of the first inning of Saturday's 10-5 win over the Washington Nationals and scored from first on a two-run double from Freddie Freeman, but he exited the game with what was initially described as lower back tightness. Miguel Rojas replaced him at shortstop for the bottom of the first.

Betts underwent an MRI Saturday night, which revealed an oblique strain that the Dodgers believe likely happened on a check swing during his at-bat but that he didn't feel until he started running the bases.

The San Francisco Giants started their four-game series against the New York Mets in exciting fashion. Then it turned downhill very, very quickly, with two ugly losses. Now, on Easter Sunday, the Giants will look to get back in the win column, and earn a series split.

Taking the mound for San Francisco is their ace, right-hander Logan Webb, who makes his third start of the season. It hasn’t quite been the year that Webb has been looking for, as he’s 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA, though he sports a 2.64 FIP. He has 12 strikeouts against five walks in 11 innings, and in his most recent game gave up three runs in six innings against the San Diego Padres.

On the other side is fellow right-handed pitcher Kodai Senga, who is coming off an up-and-down 2025 in which he made 22 starts, had a 7-6 record, posted a 3.02 ERA and a 4.12 FIP, and had 109 strikeouts against 55 walks in 113.1 innings. This is Senga’s second start of the year, after he allowed two runs in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in his season debut.

Enjoy the game, everyone. Go Giants!

Game #10

Who: San Francisco Giants (3-6) vs. New York Mets (5-4)

Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

When: 1:05 p.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area, KNTV

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

The Houston Astros (6-3) look to take the rubber game of a 3 game series with the Athletics (2-6) in Sacramento.

RHP Lance McCullers Jr. will be on the mound for the Astros this afternoon opposite LHP Jacob Lopez and the Athletics.

ABOUT MCCULLERS: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. is set to make his second start of the season.

In his season debut against the Boston Red Sox on March 30, he allowed one run on four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in seven innings. It was his longest outing since Sept. 21, 2022 at Tampa, where he also went 7.0 innings. It was his first quality start and win since July 4, 2025 in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Houston Astros placed RHP Hunter Brown on the 15-day IL today (retro 4/2) due to a right shoulder strain. To take his place on his active roster, Houston recalled RHP Christian Roa from Triple A Sugar Land.

AGAINST THE ATHLETICS: The Astros and A’s are facing each other today for the third of 13 scheduled games in 2026.

The Astros went 5-8 vs. the A’s in 2025, including a 3-4 record at Sutter Health Park. The Astros have own a 121-107 all-time record against the Athletics.

MR. 500: LF Yordan Alvarez recorded his 500th career RBI on Friday night on a sac-fly RBI in the third inning. He became the 15th player in franchise history to record 500 RBI. He is also the fastest player in franchise history to record 500 career RBI doing so in just 685 games, passing 1B Jeff Bagwell, who recorded 500 RBI in 717 games.

WALK THIS WAY: LF Yordan Alvarez walked a career-high tying four times yesterday vs. the Athletics. This marked the second time in his career he’s recorded a four-walk game, also Aug. 20, 2019 vs. Detroit.

Alvarez also tied the franchise record for walks in a nine inning game…the last Astros player to record four walks in a nine inning game was 3B Alex Bregman on June 3, 2023 vs. the Angels.

1B Jeff Bagwell holds the franchise record for walks in a single game with six on Aug. 20, 1999 in Miami against the Marlins, but the game went 16 innings.

YORDAN’S UPCOMING MILESTONES: LF Yordan Alvarez has recorded 173 career home runs, which makes him just one home run shy of matching franchise icon OF George Springer (174 HR) for the seventh on the Astros all-time list.

Sixth on the list is Alex Bregman at 191.

LEAGUE LEADERS: The Astros lead the Majors in runs (60), doubles (27) total bases (147), hits (87), walks (50), (OBP (.391), SLG (.479) and OPS (.870).

Individually, LF Yordan Alvarez leads the Majors in OBP (.590) and OPS (1.474), while ranking tied for first in runs (9). 1B Christian Walker leads the Majors in doubles (6).

DOWN ON THE FARM: The Astros Single A affiliate Fayetteville Woodpeckers defeated the Wilson Warbirds, 6-5 yesterday at SEGRA Stadium.

Astros number one overall prospect, OF Kevin Alvarez went 4×5 with two runs, two RBI and a double.

Astros number seven overall prospect RHP Ethan Pecko made a rehab start in the game, allowing two hits and striking out four in two scoreless innings.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Sunday, Apri5 3, 3:05 p.m. CST

Location: Sutter Health Park, Sacramento, CA

TV: Space City Home Network

Streaming: SCHN+

Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

The D-backs have a chance to secure a split of the four-game series, despite having scored a total of just four runs across the first three games. Indeed, including the 1-0 win in the finale of the sweep over Detroit, they have scored five runs over four. Mind you, there have been worse streaks. Just last season, Arizona went seven straight games scoring two or fewer runs at the end of July. This included a series against the Pirates where it took 29 innings for the D-backs to get their first run – and that came courtesy of the Manfred Man. The team scored a total of seven runs and batted a collective .179 over more than a week. So this is weak sauce as hitting slumps go.

Outside of Thursday’s blow-up though, the pitching has been solid, and that has led to some very quick games. Save Thursday, three of the last four games have finished in under two hours and twenty minutes. Up until recently, that’s something you just didn’t see very often before the rules changed towards “brighter baseball”. In 2022, the last year under the old rules, Arizona played just one game in less than 2:20. A little earlier, the Diamondbacks went almost three years without such a game (Sep 6, 2013 to June 7, 2016). To have three of them since Wednesday shows how much things have changed with regard to game times.

All told, I’d probably have a quick loss than a long, dragged out one. Though short games are typically also going to be close, without many runs scored on either side. There are exceptions though. On July 1st last year, we beat the Giants 8-2, and only needed 2:16 to do it. And in May 2014, the Tigers required just one additional minute to inflict a thumping 13-0 defeat on the D-backs. At the other end, we have only had a single game pass the three-hour mark – the 9-6 win over Detroit. Those are now the exception. In 2021, we had a run of sixteen consecutive games over three hours. Cannot say I miss that in any way.

Pitching has shown itself to be strong throughout this series, and the offense started with electric production to begin their first road trip…can the Atlanta Braves end on the same note?

Three consecutive series wins are a pretty sweet way to start the series; if not, the Arizona Diamondbacks can hit the road with a split under their belt, avoiding a series loss. In just a few hours, we’ll have an answer to this weekend’s outcome; until then, we’ll have to wait and see.

Kick your feet up, prepare your Easter Sunday dinner, and tune in at 4:10 p.m. EDT to watch the finale…or split your time watching the Women’s March Madness National Championship, also streaming now…both work.

Game Notes

Preview

Lineup

The Dodgers wrap things up in our nation’s capitol against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, looking to earn a three-game sweep.

Roki Sasaki makes his second start of the season against left-hander Foster Griffin.

SUNDAY GAME INFO

• Teams: Dodgers vs. Nationals
• Stadium: Nationals Park
• Time: 12:45 p.m. PT
• TV: SportsNet LA
• Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)

Our A’s and the Astros traded blowout wins in the first two games of the series. Today’s rubber match will determine who takes the series. The Athletics have an excellent chance to win their first of the year and get on the right foot before heading to New York.

Left-hander Jacob Lopez is set to get the ball for the second time this season. The 28 year old had a tough outing his last time out against the Braves, walking five and allowing theee runs in just four innings of work. On the bright side Lopez has been dominant against these Astros in his career so this could be the perfect matchup to get him going.

Here’s the Athletics’ lineup for the finale:

Off day for regular center fielder Denzel Clarke, with Lawrence Butler sliding over to take over up the middle. That means we’ll get Carlos Cortes in right field this afternoon. Other than that it’s all the regulars in their main spots in the batting order.

They’ll be seeing a familiar face in longtime Astro Lane McCullers Jr. The righty has dealt with plenty of injuries over the years but he seems healthy and he’s coming off a dominant outing in his first start of the year. The A’s will need to take advantage of the opportunities he gives them today.

The Houston starting lineup meanwhile shakes out like this:

Time for our first series win of the year. Let’s go A’s!

Luis Castillo takes the mound for the Mariners for the second time this season, completing the second spin of the rotation of this season. Despite not earning the decision last time out, Castillo shoved against the Yankees for 6 innings of three-hit ball and tallied 5 strikeouts along with it. Castillo looks to continue his solid start to the season today against the Angels.

The hope today is that the Mariners can use this series and game to stabilize and gain some consistency, in particular from the offense, which, despite their best efforts last night, was held to a shutout by Jo Adell and his three-homerun robberies.

So far, the Mariners have had mixed results to start the season, dropping two out of 4 to the Guardians, including Opening Day, and then dropping two out of three to the Yankees, including a shutout loss. The Mariners have been shut out in two of their past four games. I wouldn’t say I’m worried, but I am anxious for the team to get on track and find a groove early in the season.

Game Info

First Pitch: 1:07 PM PT

TV: Mariners TV

Radio: Seattle Sports (710 AM) and Mariners.com

Lineups

J.P. Crawford is back in the lineup full-time now after starting the season on the injured list and looks to keep the momentum going after recording his first hit and walk of the season last night. Also, he should have had his first home run, but we all know how that went. Cal Raleigh will DH today, with Mitch Garver behind the plate. Garver frequently takes up catching duties on a day game following a night game, and today is no exception. Brendan Donovan will be sitting for the second night in a row after leaving the game on Friday in the 7th inning. The team does not expect Donovan to spend any time on the IL and is currently managing Donovan’s groin strain on a day-to-day basis. In the meantime, Leo Rivas will continue to man third, but the Mariners will be short-handed should anything happen over the next few days.

No shiny lineup graphic from the Angels today, perhaps distracted by the callup of their latest rookie:

The Angels will be handing the ball over to George Klassen this afternoon. Klassen will be making his major league debut today. Klassen impressed in spring training and is regarded as one of the Angels’ top prospects. Klassen sports a deadly cocktail of fastball, slider, and cutter that grade out at 55, 60, and 60, respectively. The 24-year-old spent much of this spring working and refining with Greg Maddux and could be in the mix for a permanent spot in the rotation this year. Read more on Klassen from John in the AL West preview here.

Today in Mariners History

• 1999 – Ken Griffey Jr. hits his seventh career opening night home run, the second-highest total in Major League history.
• 2000 – Jay Buhner smacks a three-run homer in his first at-bat of the season in Seattle’s 9-3 win over Boston.
• 2010 – Mariners beat Oakland 5-3 on Opening Day…Ken Griffey Jr. becomes 27th player in Major League history to play in 4 decades.

Brett Baty was surprisingly scratched from the Mets' starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the San Francisco Giants, but fortunetly, manager Carlos Mendoza said there isn't a cause for long-term concern.

Baty is dealing with a jammed thumb that occurred on his slide into second base following a seventh-inning double in Saturday's win.

"Last night on that head-first slide at second base, he jammed that left thumb," Mendoza said. "He was able to finish the game, little sore afterwards. And then this morning, basically the same. We're just trying to be smart about it, and that's why he came out of the lineup."

The skipper added: "No. After talking to him, he's probably a day or two [away]. Should be good to go on Tuesday. We're not planning on doing any imaging or anything like that, he's just day-to-day. "

Mendoza also noted that Baty jammed his left thumb, which is more good news, as he previously needed surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb, which caused him to miss the last month of the 2022 season.

"No, it's a different one, it's the other one," Mendoza said. "That's the one thing he said last night, that he didn't feel like the one he hurt before where the ligament was involved."

New York's original starting lineup for Sunday had Baty in right field and Carson Benge playing left field with Juan Soto still out as he's dealing with a minor calf strain. Instead, Jared Young will play LF and Benge will continue to play in RF. Mendoza also made it sound like Baty could be available off the bench as a pinch hitter if the team needed.

The manager went on to discuss the lineup change and explained why he's confident in both Baty and Benge playing different spots in the outfield.

"Bottom line, I feel comfortable with Baty everywhere," Mendoza said. "After talking to some of the coaches, just kinda keeping Baty, spring training he was in right field the whole time. With Bengey, he's used to playing everywhere. So it was just more like keeping Baty in a position where, since we're asking him a lot,  move him around, just kinda keep him in a comfortable spot. 

"I could go back and forth, depending on matchups, ballpark. Could go with Brett playing left, Brett playing right, Bengey playing all three. Continue to talk about versatility, that's what we got there."

The Mets are off on Monday and begin a three-game series at Citi Field with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's the play where Baty jammed his thumb https://t.co/5NVNexjekYpic.twitter.com/74XRxRIbOn

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 5, 2026

Mets lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Bo Bichette – 3B
3. Jorge Polanco – DH
4. Luis Robert – CF
5. Jared Young – LF
6. Mark Vientos – 1B
7. Marcus Semien – 2B
8. Carson Benge – RF
9. Francisco Alvarez – C

SP: Kodai Senga (RHP)

Giants lineup

1. Willy Adames – SS
2. Luis Arraez – 2B
3. Matt Chapman – 3B
4. Rafael Devers – 1B
5. Heliot Ramos – LF
6. Jung Hoo Lee – RF
7. Jerar Encarnacion – DH
8. Harrison Bader – CF
9. Patrick Bailey – C

SP: Logan Webb (RHP)

Broadcast info

First pitch: 4:05 PM EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

We are back with Sunday baseball on the West Coast, as the Braves take on the Diamondbacks for the series finale, hoping to secure the win.

The roster has been released for both teams.

Martín Pérez is taking the hill for his first career start with the Braves, with a solid squad behind him to handle offense.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has yet to go yard this season, with only one run accounted for. Maybe this time, leading off as the designated hitter will produce different results, as hitting will be his primary focus, eliminating the field work for the day. Eli White is taking over that area in right field and batting ahead of Jorge Mateo, who’s set to occupy shortstop. Mike Yastrzemski is moving up to the fourth slot, and Michael Harris II is following behind at fifth.

Mauricio Dubón is also making a return and taking over third base, giving Austin Riley, who’s been producing a .497 OPS lately, the day off.

The Diamondbacks roster has also been set.

The first three slots have stayed consistent throughout the series, with some shifts in the remaining holes. Carlos Santana has returned to occupy first base, moving Jose Fernandez—a Dbacks fan-favorite— over to DH and batting fifth in the lineup. Tim Tawa and James McCann, who were absent from yesterday’s start, are also making a return to close out the series, with Brandon Pfaadt hoping to improve his start as he takes the mound.

The Braves are looking to secure their third consecutive series win, while the Diamondbacks are going for the split before both teams hit the road. Let’s see how the chips fall in this finale.

First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. EDT.

After a blowout loss on their Home Opener and yet another one-run loss last night, the Colorado Rockies stand just one game away from being swept at home by the Philadelphia Phillies. Believe it or not, the problem hasn’t been the pitching. Only two of the Rockies’ seven losses this season have been by more than one run and only one has been in blowout fashion.

The problem instead lies in the offense. The Rockies have scored just five total runs in their last four games, and in that time they’ve scored more than one run just once. They’re striking out more than 11 times per game on average, have the fewest walks in the league, have homered just five times, and are tied for having the second-fewest runs in baseball.

Tomoyuki Sugano will take the mound this afternoon, looking to keep the train of pitching positivity alive and hoping his Coors Field debut goes better than Michael Lorenzen’s did on Friday. Sugano looked excellent in his Rockies debut against Toronto last week, where he worked 4.2 innings and gave up just one earned run on two hits and two walks. The lone run came via a solo home run—those will happen with Sugano—but he also struck out four batters.

Making the start for the Phillies is the right-handed Taijuan Walker. Walker struggled in his first outing of the year against the Washington Nationals, giving up seven runs—six earned—on ten hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. However, Walker has also been historically successful against the Rockies. In ten career starts against the Rockies he holds an ERA of just 2.36 over 61 innings and has given up just five home runs. This season Walker is utilizing a six pitch mix consisting of a slider, a cutter, a sinker, a curveball, a four-seam fastball, and a primary split-finger.

First Pitch: 1:10pm MDT

TV: Rockies.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Lineups:

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A strong start to the 2026 season for Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown has been put on hold.

The Astros put Brown on the injured list on Sunday, April 5 with a shoulder strain.

Brown, the Astros' opening day starter, had only allowed a total of one earned run in his first two starts of the season with 17 strikeouts and six walks.

The move was retroactive to April 2, so it's possible he could have sustained the injury during a bullpen session between starts. Brown would have been lined up to make his next start on Sunday against the Athletics in Sacramento.