Morning Briefing: MLB Reportedly Changing Derby Format

Good morning, Mets fans!

For the first time in over a decade, MLB is moving back to a swing format for the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby, per Evan Drellich and Johnny Flores Jr. of The Athletic.

While not officially announced by MLB yet, this will be the first time the Derby will go on without a timer format since 2014. Hitters will have 20 swings in the first round and 15 swings for the semifinal and final rounds; however, hitters cannot end their round on a home run, allowing the batter to continue until a non-home run is hit.

Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

The Mets’ offense came alive as they salvaged the last game of their three-game set against the Reds by a score of 9-1. Click here for a full game recap.

Following their win in Cincinnati, the Mets will go to Philly to start a three-game set against the Phillies on Thursday night. The game is set for 6:40 p.m. ET with Sean Manaea (1-2, 4.78 ERA) scheduled to face Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.86 ERA).

Mets pitching prospect Calvin Ziegler tossed a scoreless inning with one strikeout for the FCL Mets in his first outing since April 2024.

Latest MLB News

Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters that Ronald Acuña Jr. is a “long way” from returning.

The Phillies demoted once-top pitching prospect Andrew Painter to Triple-A, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. He has a 7.06 ERA with a 1-8 record on the season.

The Detroit Tigers placed Gleyber Torres on the 10-day IL with a left oblique strain and activated RHP Casey Mize off the 15-day IL.

After his three-year absence from MLB, Trey Mancini returned to the majors with the Los Angeles Angels. That stint with the Angels was short lived as Mancini was DFA’d by the club on Wednesday, per Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed RHP Max Scherzer on the 15-day IL with back spasms.