MLB Baseball Scores Yesterday: Why the Box Scores Are Empty

MLB Baseball Scores Yesterday: Why the Box Scores Are Empty

So, you’re looking for MLB baseball scores yesterday and finding... well, basically nothing. It’s frustrating. You open your favorite sports app, scroll through the dates, and all you see are "TBD" or a bunch of blank slates. Honestly, there's a very simple reason for that.

The middle of January isn't for home runs and triple plays. It’s for spreadsheets and late-night phone calls between agents and GMs. We are deep in the "Hot Stove" season. Yesterday, January 16, 2026, there weren't any Major League games played. Not a single one.

Does that mean nothing happened? Not even close. While the scoreboard shows zeros, the transactions list is absolutely on fire.

The Real MLB Baseball Scores Yesterday: Winners and Losers of the Offseason

If you’re checking the "score" of the league right now, you have to look at the rosters. The biggest news hitting the wire yesterday involves the New York Mets making a massive, aggressive pivot. After losing out on the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes to the Los Angeles Dodgers (who just seem to have infinite money at this point), Steve Cohen’s front office didn't sit around moping.

Yesterday, the Mets reportedly locked up shortstop Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million deal.

Think about that for a second. Bichette is 27. He’s coming off a bounce-back year where he hit .311. This isn't just a "consolation prize" for missing Tucker; it’s a statement. The deal apparently includes opt-outs after the first and second years, which basically tells us Bo is betting on himself to keep raking at Citi Field.

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But wait, there's more. While we didn't have traditional scores, we had "market scores."

  • The Dodgers basically won the week by snagging Kyle Tucker for $240 million over four years.
  • The Red Sox bolstered their rotation by signing Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million contract.
  • The Phillies managed to bring back J.T. Realmuto on a three-year, $45 million deal, keeping their veteran core together.

It’s weird to think about, but these signings are the "runs" being scored in January. A team like the Mets signing Bichette changes their projected win total more than a random June victory over the Marlins ever could.

Why Are People Searching for Scores Right Now?

It’s a fair question. Maybe you saw a highlight on social media? If you saw a video of Estevan Florial hitting a solo home run yesterday, you weren't hallucinating. But it wasn't an MLB game. Florial has been playing in the Mexican Pacific League.

Winter leagues in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico are the only places where you'll find actual baseball scores in mid-January. For guys like Florial, these games are a chance to stay sharp or prove they still belong on a 40-man roster.

Also, we’re only a few weeks away from Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers usually report in early February. That itch for a box score is starting to get real for all of us. You’re likely seeing "2026 Schedule" links popping up, which can be confusing. The actual regular season doesn't kick off until March 25, when the Giants and Yankees face off in San Francisco.

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What Really Happened with the Remaining Free Agents

Since there were no MLB baseball scores yesterday, the focus shifted entirely to the "best of the rest." Cody Bellinger is now the undisputed big fish left in the pond.

Yesterday’s flurry of activity—Bichette to the Mets, Tucker to the Dodgers—has left a few teams feeling a bit desperate. The Yankees, specifically, are under a ton of pressure. They need a bat to protect Aaron Judge now that Juan Soto is across town. Bellinger is the perfect fit, but rumors suggest Scott Boras is holding out for a seven-year deal while the Yanks are stuck at five.

It’s a game of chicken. That’s the "score" we’re all tracking. Who blinks first?

The Winter League Recap (The Only Real Scores)

If you absolutely need a box score to look at, you have to look South. The Caribbean Series is approaching, and the playoffs in the winter leagues are intense.

On January 16, 2026, several MLB-affiliated players were active in the Mexican Pacific League. These games don't count toward MLB standings, obviously, but they matter for scouting. Scouts are watching to see if a veteran's bat speed is still there or if a young pitcher has finally mastered that third pitch.

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Actionable Next Steps for Baseball Fans

Since the MLB scoreboard is empty, here is how you should spend your time if you want to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season:

  1. Check the 40-man rosters: Teams are clearing space for these big signings. Your favorite team might have just DFA’d a middle-reliever you actually liked.
  2. Monitor the "Bellinger Watch": With Bichette off the board, the market for Bellinger is going to move fast. Keep an eye on the Giants and Blue Jays as potential "mystery teams."
  3. Plan your Spring Training trip: Schedules are out. If you’re heading to Arizona or Florida, now is the time to book because prices spike the moment those pitchers and catchers report.
  4. Look into the Hall of Fame voting: We’re in the final stretch for the 2026 Class. Names like Cole Hamels are sparking huge debates right now.

The lack of MLB baseball scores yesterday doesn't mean the sport is sleeping. It's just moving from the grass to the front office. By the time we get to February, these January "scores"—the signings and the trades—will be the reason your team is either a contender or a basement dweller.

Keep an eye on the trade market too. Word is the Arizona Diamondbacks aren't done after picking up Nolan Arenado earlier this week. The NL West is turning into an absolute arms race.

Stay tuned to the transaction wire; it's the only scoreboard that matters until March.