MLB Newsletter 2026-04-09

Samwise MLB Newsletter

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Recaps · Standings · Transactions · Analysis

Athletics Shut Out Yankees 1–0 on Jeffrey Springs’ Brilliant One-Hitter

Jeffrey Springs delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances of the young 2026 season Wednesday, carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and finishing with a one-hitter as the Oakland Athletics blanked the New York Yankees 1–0 at Yankee Stadium. Springs improved to 2–0, striking out six over seven crisp innings. Max Muncy tripled to open the seventh and scored on a Tyler Soderstrom single off Ryan Weathers — the game’s only run. Ben Rice’s seventh-inning single was New York’s lone hit. Oakland won their first series in New York since April 2016, and the Yankees were one-hit for the first time since August 2023.

Source: amNewYork

Pirates Lock Up Top Prospect Konnor Griffin with Record $140M Extension

The Pittsburgh Pirates locked up baseball’s top prospect Wednesday, agreeing to a nine-year, $140 million extension with 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin — the largest contract in Pirates history and the first nine-figure deal ever signed by a teenager in American professional sports. Griffin, the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft, made his major league debut April 2 in Pittsburgh’s home opener. The deal is fully guaranteed with no opt-outs and runs through 2034. Pittsburgh also positioned itself to earn a first-round draft pick through the Prospect Promotion Incentive if Griffin wins Rookie of the Year or finishes in the top three of MVP voting through 2028.

Source: ESPN

Juan Soto Placed on 10-Day IL with Right Calf Strain; Out 2–3 Weeks

The New York Mets placed superstar outfielder Juan Soto on the 10-day injured list Monday with a right calf strain, with the team expecting him to miss two to three weeks. Soto, in his second season of a 15-year, $765 million contract, was off to a blazing start, slashing .355/.412/.516 with a home run and two doubles across eight games before the injury. He exited San Francisco’s Oracle Park in the first inning on April 4, slowing on the basepaths after singling. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the move was made out of caution. Ronny Mauricio was recalled from Triple-A as a corresponding roster move.

Source: NBC Sports

Division Standings — Through April 8, 2026

AL East

Team W-L GB
Yankees 8-4
Baltimore 6-6 2.5
Tampa Bay 5-7 3.5
Toronto 5-7 3.5
Boston 4-8 4.5

AL Central

Team W-L GB
Cleveland 7-5
Detroit 5-5 1.5
Minnesota 5-6 2.0
Kansas City 5-7 2.5
Chi. White Sox 4-8 3.5

AL West

Team W-L GB
Houston 7-5
Texas 6-6 1.0
Oakland 6-7 1.5
LA Angels 5-7 2.0
Seattle 3-9 4.0

NL East

Team W-L GB
Philadelphia 8-4
Miami 7-5 1.0
NY Mets 6-5 1.5
Atlanta 6-5 1.5
Washington 3-9 5.0

NL Central

Team W-L GB
Cincinnati 8-4
Milwaukee 8-4
Pittsburgh 7-5 1.0
St. Louis 7-5 1.0
Chicago Cubs 6-6 2.0

NL West

Team W-L GB
LA Dodgers 9-3
Arizona 6-6 3.0
San Diego 6-6 3.0
Colorado 6-6 3.0
San Francisco 5-8 4.5

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