Samwise MLB Newsletter
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Ohtani’s Leadoff Blast Lifts Dodgers Past Twins 2–1; LA Claims Best Record in Majors
Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff home run on the second pitch of the game, launching an 87 mph changeup from Minnesota starter Zebby Matthews at 112.8 mph into the right-field seats at Target Field, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins 2–1 on Monday night. It was Ohtani’s sixth leadoff homer this season and seventh in 17 June games. Byron Buxton answered in the first with his 25th homer, tying Yordan Alvarez for the AL lead. Minnesota went hitless from Royce Lewis’s first-inning single until Austin Martin led off the eighth. The Dodgers, now 50–29, overtook Atlanta for the best record in the majors.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Michael King's Seven Scoreless Innings Blank Braves 1–0; Machado Supplies the Only Run
Michael King pitched seven scoreless innings and Manny Machado provided the only run as the San Diego Padres beat the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves 1–0 on Monday night. Machado hit a leadoff home run in the fourth against Grant Holmes (4–4), his team-leading 14th homer and 43rd RBI despite entering the night hitting just .179. King (5–6) held Atlanta to six singles, striking out five and walking none. Mason Miller worked the ninth for his NL-leading 21st save, stranding two runners by striking out Mike Yastrzemski. Atlanta lost for the eighth time in 11 games and was overtaken by the Dodgers for the best record in the majors.
Braves Ace Spencer Strider Shut Down Four Weeks With Elbow Inflammation, Surgery Not Expected
Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will be shut down from throwing for four weeks after leaving his Friday start against the Mets with elbow and shoulder discomfort. Strider’s fastball dipped below 90 mph in the fourth inning, and he allowed a season-worst seven earned runs in three innings. Specialist Dr. Keith Meister found no structural damage in the right elbow, and imaging showed no ligament issues — the Braves do not anticipate surgery. Strider will undergo a follow-up MRI after the four-week rest before beginning a throwing progression. He had already missed time earlier in 2026 with a left oblique strain that delayed his season debut until May 3.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors, ESPN
Framber Valdez Outduels Gerrit Cole as Tigers Top Yankees 5–3; Detroit Wins Fourth Straight
Framber Valdez outpitched Gerrit Cole as the Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees 5–3 on Monday night, handing Cole his first loss to Detroit in 10 years. Valdez allowed one run on four hits with eight strikeouts over six innings, while Cole surrendered five runs and nine hits in 4⅓ frames. Kevin McGonigle’s RBI double gave Detroit a 4–1 lead in the fourth, and Riley Greene added a 422-foot homer in the fifth. Amed Rosario homered two pitches later to pull New York within 5–3. Without injured Aaron Judge, the Yankees have lost three straight and four of five but hold the AL’s best record at 46–31.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Antonacci's Walk-Off Single Lifts White Sox Over Guardians 6–5; AL Central Race Tied
A walk-off two-run single by Sam Antonacci capped a stunning ninth-inning comeback as the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 6–5 on Monday night, pulling into a first-place tie in the AL Central. Cleveland had scored twice in the top of the ninth to seize a 5–4 lead before Chicago rallied off Cade Smith (2–1). Rookie Braden Montgomery drew a one-out walk and Tristan Peters doubled to set the stage for Antonacci’s game-winning single. The White Sox (40–37) snapped a three-game losing streak to join the Guardians (41–38) atop the AL Central, with both clubs sitting at .519.
Woodruff Carries Perfect Game Into Sixth Inning in Return; Brewers Edge Reds 2–1 in 10
Brandon Woodruff retired the first 16 batters and carried a perfect game into the sixth inning in his return to the rotation, and Joey Ortiz’s sacrifice fly in the 10th drove home the go-ahead run as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Cincinnati Reds 2–1. Woodruff, making his first start since April 30, struck out 10 with no walks before Tyler Stephenson singled with one out in the sixth. In the 10th, Garrett Mitchell walked and Sal Frelick bunted two runners into scoring position. Ortiz’s fly scored Jake Bauers, and Mitchell scored on a wild pitch by Tony Santillan (1–4). Trevor Megill (2–2) earned the win.
Okamoto Homers, Straw Delivers Go-Ahead Sac Fly as Blue Jays Top Astros 4–2, Return to .500
Kazuma Okamoto homered and pinch-hitter Myles Straw drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning — part of a trio of sacrifice flies for Toronto — as the Blue Jays beat the Houston Astros 4–2 on Monday night. The win moved the Blue Jays (39–39) back to .500 for the first time since May 29, opening a 10-game homestand, the team’s longest of the 2026 season. Straw, entering as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, delivered the decisive sacrifice fly off the Houston bullpen to give Toronto a lead it would not surrender. The Astros fell to 37–43 with the loss.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Tucker Exits With Back Spasms, Rushing Enters Concussion Protocol During Dodgers' Win Over Twins
The Los Angeles Dodgers dealt with two injury scares during Monday’s 2–1 win over the Twins. Outfielder Kyle Tucker exited in the second inning with lower back spasms — manager Roberts said Tucker has a history of the issue and is not expected to require imaging or head to the injured list. Catcher Dalton Rushing was struck by a foul ball off his mask in the first inning, then entered concussion protocol after exiting in the third. Rushing passed initial concussion testing but must retest 24 hours later and will likely be out of Tuesday’s starting lineup.
Sources: ESPN, Sports Illustrated
Rangers Place Jack Leiter on 15-Day IL With Right Ankle Impingement; Jose Corniell Recalled
Texas Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a right ankle posterior impingement, retroactive to June 19. The condition was aggravated when Leiter slipped on the on-deck circle, and recent imaging showed the injury has worsened, with the team citing concern about the kinetic chain. Texas recalled right-hander Jose Corniell from Triple-A Round Rock to fill the roster spot. Corniell, who turned 23 on Monday, carries a 6.08 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 10 walks in seven games (six starts) at Round Rock and is ranked the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors, ESPN
American League
AL East
1. New York Yankees — 46–31, —
2. Tampa Bay Rays — 43–32, 2.0 GB
3. Toronto Blue Jays — 39–39, 7.5 GB
4. Baltimore Orioles — 38–42, 9.5 GB
5. Boston Red Sox — 31–45, 14.5 GB
AL Central
T1. Chicago White Sox — 40–37, —
T1. Cleveland Guardians — 41–38, —
3. Minnesota Twins — 38–42, 3.5 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 34–44, 6.5 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 33–46, 8.0 GB
AL West
1. Seattle Mariners — 40–39, —
T2. Athletics — 38–40, 1.5 GB
T2. Texas Rangers — 38–40, 1.5 GB
4. Houston Astros — 37–43, 3.5 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 32–48, 8.5 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 48–29, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 42–36, 6.5 GB
3. Washington Nationals — 41–38, 8.0 GB
4. Miami Marlins — 40–39, 9.0 GB
5. New York Mets — 34–43, 14.0 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 47–29, —
2. St. Louis Cardinals — 42–34, 5.0 GB
3. Chicago Cubs — 40–37, 7.5 GB
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 39–39, 9.0 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 37–40, 10.5 GB
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 50–29, —
2. San Diego Padres — 40–37, 9.0 GB
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 39–39, 10.5 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 31–46, 18.0 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 31–48, 19.0 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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