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MLB News & Moments: Fernando Tatis Jr. Shines Bright in New York

Remember when Fernando Tatis Jr. had zero homers in 2026?

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News An Hour Ago

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Before any games were played on Tuesday, the Ketel Marte story surrounding the Diamondbacks took a strange turn, as it was announced that the star second baseman had flown to Arizona to get some testing done on his left knee. His absence had originally been marked as a personal issue, as Marte was placed on the restricted list. However, this twist only creates confusion as to why he failed to show up on Monday’s game in Boston, while also creating a major distraction for a team battling for a playoff spot.

Regardless of how this plays out, it is clear that the Dbacks need to find a way to play without one of their best elements, while also analyzing his future with the franchise.

Today’s Headlines

 

Something In the Air That Night

As Fernando Tatis Jr., Jr. hit the first pitch he saw more than 450 feet (a true lead-off homer, for those scoring at home), it became immediately clear that he still has that special player tag attached to his marquee name. However, it would only be a small part on what would become a career night. A night after the Mets’ defense derailed San Diego’s offense, the tables would turn thanks to Tatis. With the bases loaded and a chance to take the lead, Francisco Lindor hit a high fly ball that looked destined to clear the right field wall. In fact, it did clear the wall, but a Tatis perfectly-timed jump and catch denied Lindor of the grand slam, while preserving the lead for the Padres. Possibly inspired by his defense, Tatis would add a second homer, this time a two-run blast that extended San Diego’s lead to 3-0. All in all, this five-inning showcase would provide the edge for the Friars’ 5-2 victory, helping Robbie Ray earn his first win as a Padre and keeping San Diego in the thick of the NL playoff chase. After taking his time to hit a homer in 2026, Tatis’ return as a power hitter could become the biggest X factor for the Padres.

Demolition Night

Through four and a haf innings, the Mariners and Brewers had a nice pitching duel going, as Bryce Miller and Kyle Harrison had combined for one run allowed, and even that was unearned. The bottom of the fifth started out innocently enough, with a groundout that then devolved to four straight Brewers reaching and capping it all with a rare Christian Yelich three-run homer. Still, a five-run frame is not out of the ordinary for Milwaukee, who even found it better to replace Harrison and leave the rest for the bullpen. From there, though, the game would become a nightmare for the M’s, who would allow another five-run inning, a two-run effort, and finally an embarrassing nine-run output from the Brew Crew, even if it happened against a position player pitching. The 22-0 defeat tied the largest shutout win in modern history, just as Cleveland did it against the Yankees in 2004. Things got so bad for Seattle that Julio Rodríguez added a blooper for the ages, tossing a ball to the crowd with only two outs – a play that represents the Mariners in 2026. While still technically in the playoff race, every day it becomes clearer that Seattle is not a true contender. On the other hand, games like this remind us why the Brewers remain atop the National League.

OkaMotorin’ 

As part of their recent effort to remain relevant in the AL playoff chase, the Blue Jays continue to navigate a tough slate of AL East foes valiantly, now taking game one in Tampa Bay. The 10-5 win over the Rays included a quirky box score in which Toronto scored exactly two runs in five separate innings, leading 6-0 before Tampa could even attempt a comeback. Newcomer José Soriano earned his first win as a Blue Jay, taking advantage of the significant run support despite a pedestrian line of nine hits and three runs allowed over 5.2 innings. Alejandro Kirk carried the offense with a homer as part of a three-hit day, while Ernie Clement and George Springer also added three knocks apiece in this rare 17-hit effort. Kazuma Okamoto became the top rookie in Toronto history with 25 homers, and it is becoming evident that the Jays may have a chance to defend their pennant.

The Rainmaker

In a day where all the attention was set on Carlos Rodón’s awaited return from the IL, other players took the headlines away from the southpaw. Rodon was good, showing little signs of rust and limited to a pitch count, as he limited the Orioles to one run over four innings. His counterpart, Shane Baz, struck out a season-high ten and kept the Yankees at bay for most of the day, until a fateful knock from the game’s MVP made him a tough-luck loser. Trent Grisham had opened the scoring with a solo homer in the third, and then took advantage of Baz leaving the bases loaded in the seventh, with a clutch two-run single that gave him all three RBI in a game New York eventually won 3-1. While the Bombers became just the second AL team to reach 70 wins, Baz joined Tanner Bibee as the only pitchers with 13 losses in 2026, which is just unfair considering both have been solid.

Jo! Adell Wraps It Up

For most players, five RBI constitutes a good series, or maybe even a nice week at the plate. For Jo Adell, it all came too easily in an 8-1 rout of the lowly Giants. The Cleveland deadline acquisition started the game by hitting a mammoth three-run homer, which in fact became the longest blast by a Guardian in 2026. He would step to the plate in the second with runners in second and third, and a two-run single turned his good game into a great game in a pinch. Adell would add another RBI single for good measure, giving him a career high with six runs knocked in. The team’s other big deadline addition, Foster Griffin, had no problem mowing down San Francisco’s AAA-like lineup, allowing only one run over six frames and earning his 14th win of the season. While Cleveland is right in the middle of the battle for the AL Central or at least a wild card, the Giants are barreling towards their first 100-loss season since 1985, which remains the only such season in franchise history.

 

By The Numbers

 

13 The Cubs earned their second straight walk-off win, becoming their 13th such victory in 2026. This is tied for the second-highest mark in franchise history, with only the 1930 Cubs having more, with 14.

30 Shohei Ohtani hit his 30th homer of the season, giving him at least 30 in all three seasons he has played with the Dodgers. Overall, it is his sixth straight 30+ campaign in MLB.

6 Following Tuesday’s action, six teams are within one game of the AL’s final wild card spot, which is currently occupied by the Rangers. All six of them have losing records, while Detroit is the only one among them with a positive run differential.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Twice as Nice

In this rare season that has featured both Chicago teams as contenders, their meetings have been electric and quite the event for the city. Monday’s walk-off was memorable, as it featured a late Cubs comeback and the heroics of Pete Crow-Armstrong, who sent the Wrigley crowd to a frenzy with his walk-off homer. On Tuesday, things would not be quite that dramatic, but nonetheless important for the Friendly Confines, as the Cubs earned yet another walk-off victory. This time, Alex Bregman won it with a single, again capping a comeback after the White Sox had taken an early 3-2 lead. Kevin Gausman was again uneven, but the bullpen bailed him out with 4.2 scoreless innings, including the ever-reliable Javier Assad bridging the gap with three effective frames. In the end, the 4-3 final gave closer Jacob Webb the win for the second straight day, helping the Cubs keep pace with the Brewers atop the NL Central.

LongStop

Tuesday’s biggest upset was definitely the Angels knocking down the Astros with a 3-1 final, as rookie George Klassen allowed only one hit over seven scoreless innings. This included himself and LA’s bullpen holding MVP candidate Yordan Alvarez to an 0-for-4 day with a couple of strikeouts, but that came largely in part to the defense behind them. With Houston facing an early 1-0 deficit, Alvarez appeared to hit an awkward line drive to shortstop, with a bounce that would normally take it to left field for a base hit. Instead, Zach Neto make an impressively athletic play to throw him out, in a move that was a weird mix of Ozzie Smith and Derek Jeter. It is always hard to find Angels highlights, but their only remaining quest of playing spoiler is much more fun when they can produce this type of plays.

Can’t Touch This

Lost in the shuffle of the Ketel Marte mess is that Arizona has been completely erased through two games in Boston, now taking a 9-4 loss as Merrill Kelly allowed six runs in only four frames. As the Red Sox cruised and celebrated Adley Rutschman’s first homer playing for Boston, there was also a memorable play in the middle of all the scoring. After stealing third, Caleb Durbin was probably eager to run to home plate at the first chance he got, especially with two outs. As Kelly uncorked a pitch that got away from his catcher, Durbin sprinted to the plate with no hesitation, even as it looked like Kelly had recovered. Instead, Durbin made an amazing split-second move to evade the tag and barely score Boston’s fifth run. It would play a pivotal role, as it gave Boston a lead they would not relinquish and also serve as a reminder of the aggressive and fun style of play this Red Sox team has displayed over the past six weeks.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾The Dodgers have placed closer Edwin Díaz on the 15-day IL with neck inflammation. This will represent Diaz’s second IL stint of the season, as he was out since April until late July. His return was shaky, as Diaz blew three saves and barely escaped other late jams, holding a 12.91 ERA since his return from the injured list. In his place, it is likely that LA will reinstate Tanner Scott as the team’s primary closer.

⚾ The Rockies have placed catcher Hunter Goodman on the 10-day IL with a left shoulder strain. Goodman has been Colorado’s best player in 2026, leading all catchers in baseball with 34 homers. The injury does not appear to be significant, with management expecting a quick return. However, with the Rockies playing out the string, it would make sense to be cautious with Goodman’s recovery. 

⚾ Former Orioles standout Trey Mancini announced his retirement from baseball, putting an end to one of the most improbable and inspiring careers of the past decade. Mancini, originally an 8th round pick, became one of Baltimore’s most recognizable and productive players of the late 2010s before being diagnosed with colon cancer. Mancini not only beat cancer, but managed to return to MLB and even signed a two-year deal with the Cubs. His return was not as successful, and at one point he was out of baseball for more than three years, but a personal goal to make a comeback led him to a final stint with the Angels, playing five games in 2026. He will leave the game with 129 major league homers to his name, as well as the status of a fan favorite, especially in Baltimore. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Fun With Arbitrary Statistics— Ben Clemens, Fangraphs

Why Daniil Medveded Loves the Cincinnati Reds — Mark Sheldon, MLB.com

 

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Pablo Figueroa

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Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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