All articles tagged with #spring training
Laura Albanese questions whether the Mets’ spring-time optimism about David Stearns’ reshaping has given way to doubt, suggesting the bold moves still haven’t yielded clear results and fans are left wondering how the 2025 season will unfold, including notes on veteran left-handed pitchers and the balance of expectations.
President Trump said he was not happy that Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza skipped Indiana’s White House visit, noting Mendoza was at spring training and suggesting the absence reflects the broader dynamic of loyalty and public perception in political discourse.
Before the 2026 season, the Yankees designated their navy road jersey as the Official Alternate Road Uniform, making them the first MLB team to have an official alternate. It hasn’t been worn in a regular-season game, but reports say players discussed a navy road look; the jersey has appeared in spring training and will remain a road-only option alongside home whites/pinstripes.
Justin Verlander, 43, returns to the Detroit Tigers as the elder statesman of a young clubhouse, blending relentless work ethic and curiosity with a lighthearted coffee-loving persona. He’s mentoring young arms, trading bullpen feedback, and embracing a full-circle moment as he eyes pitching into his mid-40s and chasing 300 wins, while teammates like Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize adapt to his seasoned approach during spring training.
In a spring-game showcase, Dodgers newcomers shined: Edwin Díaz earned his first save for L.A. as Kyle Tucker delivered an RBI single in the eighth to spark a late surge, sealing the win over the Arizona Diamondbacks with Díaz closing in the ninth and a trumpet-welcome moment adding flair to the debut.
Roman Anthony is being viewed as a clubhouse leader for the Red Sox as he starts his first full MLB season, with teammates like Garrett Whitlock praising his leadership and manager Alex Cora noting a youth-forward clubhouse dynamic that could define the team's culture this year.
In an MLB spring-training-style game, Los Angeles rolled to an 8-2 win over Arizona. The Diamondbacks plated two in the fourth on Perdomo's homer, but the Dodgers answered with a four-run fifth inning capped by A. Pages' three-run shot and a subsequent RBI single from Will Smith. Los Angeles then added four more in the seventh, highlighted by Tucker's double, Betts' RBI, and Smith's homer, while Arizona was held scoreless after that as the Dodgers pulled away.
Gerrit Cole said he’s feeling 'really strong' in his final spring start, throwing 26 pitches over 1⅓ innings (averaging 96.3 mph, up to 98) as he continues Tommy John rehab; the Yankees are targeting a mid‑May return on a 14–18 month timeline, with a light workload ahead before Tampa, the April 3 home opener, and a possible rehab assignment afterward.
Rookie left-hander Connelly Early will open Boston’s 2026 season in the rotation as the No. 3 starter after a standout spring (1.59 ERA) and solid late-2025 big‑league showing. The Sox plan to pair him with Johan Oviedo in the early rotation, with Oviedo serving as a multi‑inning reliever and possible piggyback option behind Ranger Suarez as he builds up. Payton Tolle was optioned to the minors, while Jovani Morán and Danny Coulombe join the bullpen alongside established late‑inning arms Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, as the club maps out its bullpen and rotation for April.
Roki Sasaki’s spring struggles—low strike rate, high ERA and multiple walks in short outings—have the Dodgers rethinking his development, with a likely path back through the minor leagues and a multi-year process to regain his dominant form, though manager Dave Roberts says he still believes in him.
The Texas Rangers will carry Rule 5 right-hander Carter Baumler on their Opening Day roster, with manager Skip Schumaker delivering the news via a mid-game mound visit that his client had made the team. Baumler, 24, has battled injuries (Tommy John and shoulder surgery) but impressed this spring, posting 9 1/3 shutout innings with strong strikeout and ground-ball rates. If he remains on the major-league roster all season, Texas gains five years of control plus three minor option years; if he’s sent to the minors at any point, he would clear waivers and the Orioles could reclaim him for a nominal sum. Baumler’s workload history and spring performance give him a real chance to stick in the Texas bullpen for now.
Boston finalized its position-player roster by keeping Andruw Monasterio as a versatile reserve and Connor Wong as the backup catcher, while optioning Nate Eaton and Mickey Gasper and reassigning Matt Thaiss. The team also assembled a five-man outfield (Yoshida, Duran, Rafaela, Abreu, Anthony) to enable late-inning pinch hitting, and trimmed several pitchers (Kelly, Uberstine, Samaniego, Tolle, Kahnle) to minor league camp as spring training winds down. Ryan Watson earned a spot as a multi-inning reliever, with rotation spots still up for grabs between Johan Oviedo and Connelly Early, as Coulombe remains in the mix.}
Mets rookie Carson Benge earned the Opening Day right-field job after a standout Grapefruit League showing (.366/.435/.439) and strong defensive jumps, setting up a regular role as the club overhauls its outfield.
The Rays used Tropicana Field to reacclimate ahead of its April 6 reopening, testing the new fiberglass roof and replacement turf as they head on a nine-game road trip. Players noted brighter light and normal ball behavior off the turf, with manager Kevin Cash calling the venue in good shape and “totally normal.” Meanwhile, Nick Martinez struggled in spring, going 0-4 with a 14.49 ERA as Tampa Bay prepares for the season after hurricane damage to the ballpark.
The Cubs pared down their spring roster three times this weekend, sending players like Collin Snider, Corbin Martin, Jonathon Long, Jefferson Rojas, Ethan Roberts and others to the minors as they shape the bullpen and bench ahead of Opening Day. Jeff Brigham and Gavin Hollowell could factor later, while Rojas remains a top in-house prospect and will begin the season at Double-A Knoxville. More roster tweaks are expected as the Cubs finalize their early-season plans.