The 2026 MLB season continues to deliver intriguing storylines, with roster moves and injury updates shaping the landscape. Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is expected to return from the injured list on Monday, as confirmed by manager Dave Roberts. Betts has been sidelined since early April due to an oblique injury, and after spending a month on the mend, he completed three rehab games with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City. Prior to his injury, Betts was batting .179 with a .281 on-base percentage and .429 slugging, and he had been hitting third in the Dodgers’ lineup. His return raises questions about where he will slot back into the order.
In other Dodgers news, the team claimed left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. To accommodate the move on the 40-man roster, infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Barnes made just one appearance for the Cubs this season, allowing four runs (three earned) over three innings in relief on April 13. He had been optioned twice by Chicago and was playing in the minors when his roster spot was removed. Barnes now provides additional pitching depth for the Dodgers, who are also awaiting the return of right-hander Tyler Glasnow from a back injury. The activation of Blake Snell is a positive development, but Barnes offers needed depth in the meantime.
The Cleveland Guardians acquired catcher Patrick Bailey from the San Francisco Giants in a trade on Saturday. The Giants received minor-league left-hander Matt Wilkinson and the 29th overall pick in the 2026 draft in exchange. Cleveland optioned catcher Bo Naylor to Triple-A Columbus to make room for Bailey. Bailey, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is widely regarded as one of the top defensive catchers in the game, thanks to his elite pitch-framing skills since his 2023 debut. He leads the majors in catcher framing runs (69) and defensive runs saved (42) over the past two-plus seasons. However, his offensive struggles have been pronounced; he is batting just .146 with one home run and five RBIs in 89 plate appearances this season, posting a .396 OPS that ranks last among all players with at least 75 plate appearances. The Giants have relied on Daniel Susac and Jesus Rodriguez for catching duties, along with Eric Haase, providing more offense. San Francisco entered the day last in the majors in scoring at 3.16 runs per game and tied for the worst record in the National League. Bailey, who turns 27 later this month, won Gold Gloves in 2024 and 2025 and has a career .224 batting average with a .611 OPS.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to activate left-handed pitcher Blake Snell from the 15-day injured list, and he will make his season debut on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves. Snell was initially scheduled for an additional rehab start, but the Dodgers opted to bring him back earlier. The left-hander missed over a month at the start of the season due to left shoulder fatigue that had been troubling him since last year. In his most recent rehab start, he allowed two runs over four innings while throwing 55 pitches, so he is expected to be on a limited pitch count. Snell’s return coincides with his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium.
