Samwise MLB Newsletter
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Ohtani delivers gem as Dodgers shut out Giants 4-0, ERA drops to MLB-best 0.82
Shohei Ohtani delivered seven shutout innings to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers past the San Francisco Giants 4-0 Wednesday night, lowering his ERA to an MLB-best 0.82. Ohtani leaned on his four-seamer and sweeper, working through the Giants’ order three times with minimal stress before allowing back-to-back hits in the seventh. Andy Pages caught a 100.4 mph fly ball at the warning track to preserve the gem with one out in that frame. Back-to-back home runs from Santiago Espinal and Mookie Betts in the third gave Ohtani early support. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that Ohtani appears motivated to win the NL Cy Young Award in 2026.
Sources: MLB.com, CBS Sports
Yankees ace Max Fried exits with elbow soreness in 7-0 shutout loss to Orioles
Max Fried departed Wednesday’s start against Baltimore after just three innings with left elbow posterior soreness, leaving the Yankees scrambling in a 7-0 shutout loss at Camden Yards. The left-hander was lifted after 61 pitches, and manager Aaron Boone said Fried would undergo imaging Thursday during the team’s off day. Fried described the sensation as a hyperextension — likening it to banging the back of the elbow — and expressed cautious optimism about a quick return. The soreness appears on the outer elbow, suggesting the UCL is not involved. Kyle Bradish dominated in his absence, tossing six one-hit innings for Baltimore.
Sources: CBS Sports, ESPN, MLB Trade Rumors
Nationals rally from five-run deficit, walk off Reds 8-7 in 10 innings
Washington’s Daylen Lile hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Tony Santillan in the 10th inning, completing a remarkable comeback from a 5-0 deficit as the Nationals outlasted the Cincinnati Reds 8-7. Tyler Stephenson’s first-inning grand slam had given Cincinnati an early advantage, but Washington chipped away — Joey Wiemer’s RBI double, Keibert Ruiz’s two-run homer, and a bases-loaded walk in the third got the Nationals even. A throwing error by shortstop CJ Abrams put the Reds ahead briefly, but Washington tied it again on a Luis García Jr. RBI grounder in the sixth. Cincinnati has now lost 10 of its last 12 games.
Sources: ESPN, Sports Illustrated
Red Sox edge Phillies 3-1 as Rafaela’s pinch-hit homer snaps Schwarber’s streak
Ceddanne Rafaela’s pinch-hit two-run homer over the Green Monster in the sixth inning snapped a 1-1 tie and carried the Boston Red Sox past the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 on Wednesday night. Rafaela, entering with two outs in the sixth, turned on a fastball from Orion Kerkering for the go-ahead blast, also ending Kyle Schwarber’s five-game home run streak. Sonny Gray (4-1), making just his second start since missing time with right hamstring tightness, surrendered one run on two hits over six innings with six strikeouts. Aroldis Chapman worked around two walks in the ninth, striking out the side to seal the win in Boston.
Sources: NBC Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports
Braves extend baseball’s best record to 30-13 with fourth straight win over Cubs
Atlanta extended baseball’s best record to 30-13 by defeating the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Wednesday, handing their NL rivals a fourth consecutive loss. The Braves won two of three in this series at Truist Park as the Cubs, who arrived with the NL’s second-best mark, have now lost four straight and fall to 27-16 in the NL Central. Atlanta leads the NL East by nine games. Chicago remains atop the NL Central but their gap over St. Louis has narrowed to two games during this skid. Walt Weiss’s club has won six of its last eight, maintaining the pace of a 100-win season in its first 43 games.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Sheets’ three-run shot in the ninth lifts Padres over Brewers 3-1
Gavin Sheets delivered a three-run home run off Abner Uribe with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the San Diego Padres to a 3-1 win over Milwaukee and snapping the Brewers’ five-game winning streak. San Diego trailed entering the ninth and appeared headed for defeat against Jacob Misiorowski, who struck out 10 over seven innings — his third consecutive start with 40 or more pitches at 100 mph or above. Misiorowski exited before the eighth with right quadriceps cramping, opening the door for San Diego. Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich also sat out as a precaution after returning from an adductor strain just one day earlier.
Guardians complete three-game sweep of Angels behind rookie Messick
Cleveland’s Parker Messick posted another strong outing and Angel Martínez led off with a home run as the Guardians completed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels with a 4-2 victory. Messick, a promising rookie right-hander, has impressed in recent starts and Cleveland’s rotation continues to be a team-wide strength as the Guardians pace the AL Central at 24-21. The sweep extends Cleveland’s winning stretch to six of their last eight games. The Angels, struggling near the bottom of the AL West at 16-28, have dropped five of their last six and continue to lack consistency on both sides of the ball.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Braves catcher Sean Murphy out approximately eight weeks with fractured finger
Atlanta placed catcher Sean Murphy on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 11, after the veteran backstop sustained a fractured left middle finger. Manager Walt Weiss said Murphy could miss up to eight weeks depending on the healing timeline. The injury occurred Sunday when Hyeseong Kim’s swing made contact with Murphy’s glove on a catcher’s interference play. The Braves signed backup catcher Sandy León to a major-league deal to fill the vacancy on the roster. Murphy’s absence leaves Atlanta thin behind the plate, though the Braves have maintained the best record in baseball at 30-13 despite accumulating multiple roster losses in recent weeks.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors, ESPN
Cubs add veteran Liam Hendriks on minor-league deal as former closer eyes comeback
The Chicago Cubs agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks on a minor-league contract, MLB.com and MLB Trade Rumors confirmed. Hendriks, a three-time All-Star and former American League Reliever of the Year, last pitched in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. The 37-year-old has spent the intervening time rehabbing and working back toward game shape. Chicago is taking a low-risk approach, giving Hendriks a chance to prove his recovery in the minors before any consideration of a major-league promotion. The Cubs’ bullpen ranks among the NL’s best this season, and a healthy Hendriks would add experienced depth if he can regain his previous form.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors, MLB.com
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 28–14, —
2. NY Yankees — 27–17, 2.0 GB
3. Baltimore Orioles — 20–24, 9.0 GB
4. Toronto Blue Jays — 19–24, 9.5 GB
5. Boston Red Sox — 18–24, 10.0 GB
AL Central
1. Cleveland Guardians — 24–21, —
2. Chicago White Sox — 21–21, 1.5 GB
3. Kansas City Royals — 19–24, 4.0 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 19–24, 4.0 GB
5. Minnesota Twins — 19–24, 4.0 GB
AL West
1. Oakland Athletics — 21–20, —
2. Texas Rangers — 21–22, 1.0 GB
3. Seattle Mariners — 21–23, 1.5 GB
4. Houston Astros — 17–27, 5.5 GB
5. LA Angels — 16–28, 6.5 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 30–13, —
2. Washington Nationals — 21–22, 9.0 GB
3. Philadelphia Phillies — 20–23, 10.0 GB
4. Miami Marlins — 20–23, 10.0 GB
5. NY Mets — 17–25, 12.5 GB
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs — 27–16, —
2. St. Louis Cardinals — 24–17, 2.0 GB
3. Milwaukee Brewers — 23–17, 2.5 GB
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 23–20, 4.0 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 22–21, 5.0 GB
NL West
1. San Diego Padres — 25–17, —
2. Los Angeles Dodgers — 25–18, 0.5 GB
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 20–22, 4.0 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 18–25, 7.5 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 17–26, 8.5 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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