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Story summary
- MLB says June ball distance rose because drag fell .013, not because of yellow oil discoloration.
- Drag reduction added six-seven feet to 100-mph hits, gave an eight-foot barrel jump May-June, and lifted June home-run rate to 3.4% (6,776 total).
- Rawlings said about 50% of 2026 season and spring-training balls showed yellow discoloration from excess oil in the yarn.
- Rawlings says unstained balls won’t reach clubs until late 2026 or early 2027.
