MLB Newsletter 2026/04/12

Samwise MLB Newsletter

Recaps · Standings · Transactions · Analysis

Ohtani Leadoff Blast, Hernández Three-Run Shot Power Dodgers to MLB-Best 11-3 Record

Shohei Ohtani crushed a leadoff home run on the fourth pitch he saw from Jack Leiter — his 19th as a Dodger and first at Dodger Stadium this season — then Teoscar Hernández delivered a three-run blast to give Los Angeles a 4-1 lead after one inning. Emmet Sheehan followed with six innings of four-hit ball and six strikeouts to earn the win as the Dodgers improved to 11-3, the best record in Major League Baseball. Los Angeles has won seven of their last eight games. Alex Vesia struck out Danny Jansen to complete the 6-3 victory and earn his first save of the season.

Soderstrom Homers Twice as Athletics Rally Past Mets 11-6, Surge Back to .500

Tyler Soderstrom hit two home runs and drove in five runs, powering the Athletics to an 11-6 victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field. Soderstrom launched a two-run shot in the third inning to build a 6-0 lead, then added a three-run blast in the eighth to put the game away after the Mets had rallied to within one run. Bo Bichette, Francisco Alvarez, and Jorge Polanco all homered for New York, who have now lost four straight. The win moved Oakland back to .500 at 7-7 and extended their winning streak to four games.

Zach Eflin Undergoes Tommy John Surgery, Done for 2026 and Likely Start of 2027

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin is done for the 2026 season after undergoing successful Tommy John surgery on April 8. The 32-year-old exited a March 31 start against Texas after experiencing right elbow discomfort, and subsequent imaging confirmed that UCL reconstruction was necessary. Eflin is likely to begin the 2027 season on the injured list as well, leaving the Orioles without one of their rotation pillars for at least 12–18 months. Baltimore’s remaining starters — Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, and Chris Bassitt — will need to carry a heavier workload as the club searches for rotation depth.

Juan Soto Rehab Progressing Well; Mets Star Could Return Around April 20–27

April 11 Scoreboard: Phillies, Twins, Royals, Reds, Tigers, Pirates All Take Wins

ESPN Week 2 Hot Takes: Can the Dodgers Three-Peat? Yankees Eye Power-Surge History

Dodgers Injury Watch: Snell Faces Live Hitters, Edman Takes At-Bats, Betts in Defensive Drills

MLB Division Standings — Through April 11, 2026

AL East

TeamWLGB
NY Yankees82—
Baltimore663
Tampa Bay574
Toronto584.5
Boston485

AL Central

TeamWLGB
Cleveland85—
Minnesota761
Kansas City782
Detroit583
Chi. White Sox4104.5

AL West

TeamWLGB
Texas76—
Oakland770.5
Houston671
LA Angels671
Seattle493

NL East

TeamWLGB
Atlanta85—
Philadelphia761
NY Mets761
Miami761
Washington483.5

NL Central

TeamWLGB
Cincinnati94—
Milwaukee840.5
Pittsburgh851
St. Louis751.5
Chi. Cubs673

NL West

TeamWLGB
LA Dodgers113—
San Diego664
Colorado664
Arizona674.5
San Francisco585.5

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