Kodai Senga throws a pitch during the Mets' March 7 Grapefruit League game.
Observations from Mets spring training Thursday:
Senga shines
Kodai Senga fired four scoreless innings in the Mets’ 6-2 exhibition victory over the Astros in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Kodai Senga throws a pitch during the Mets’ March 7 Grapefruit League game. Imagn Images
The right-hander allowed three hits, struck out four, and walked one, finishing the Grapefruit League run with a 1.86 ERA.
Ache and pain
Francisco Alvarez left the game early with back tightness.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Alvarez was removed for precautionary reasons, but would have continued playing if this were the regular season.
Alvarez will be evaluated Friday.
Caught my eye
Francisco Lindor played seven innings at shortstop and received five plate appearances in his third game since returning from rehab of hamate bone surgery in his left hand.
Friday’s schedule
The Cardinals will be at Clover Park to face the Mets.
Paul Goldschmidt hits a single during the Yankees' March 19 Grapefruit League game.
Observations from Yankees spring training Thursday:
Oswaldo that ends well
Oswaldo Cabrera picked up his first hit of spring, roping a double to the opposite field in the eighth inning.
The utilityman, who had a delayed start to game action after breaking his ankle last May, started the spring 0-for-10 as he worked to find his rhythm.
Load of bull’
It was a rough day for a few bullpen hopefuls, as Cade Winquest and Kervin Castro each gave up a pair of runs in a split-squad loss to the Blue Jays.
Caught my eye
Back from the WBC, Paul Goldschmidt is trying to make up for the lack of at-bats he got over the last two and a half weeks.
Paul Goldschmidt hits a single during the Yankees’ 5-4 spring training win over the Orioles on March 19, 2026. Imagn Images
The veteran first baseman, who only started one of USA’s seven games in the tournament, took at-bats against Carlos Rodón in live batting practice Thursday and then played in the game against the Orioles, going 1-for-3.
Friday’s schedule
Luis Gil makes his final start of the spring when the Yankees host the Orioles at 6:35 p.m. at Steinbrenner Field.
Thursday night saw Kodai Senga make his third start in spring training, and while he wasn't as dominant as his last outing, the Mets right-hander's appearance against the Astros may be more impressive.
Senga pitched four scoreless innings against Houston, but it was how he got through those frames that is notable. He allowed three hits and one walk, but he scattered them all. He overcame varying location issues with the fastball and ground through to blank an Astros team that was using most of their projected Opening Day lineup.
"Everything seems to be working," manager Carlos Mendoza said after the team's 6-2 win. "Slider, sweeper. Fastball command came and went, but overall, the secondaries were sharp today."
After an injury-marred 2025, Senga entered spring after an offseason of questions and trade rumors. But the former Rookie of the Year contender has shown, albeit in a limited sample size, that he is working towards that form again. And the biggest thing that Senga has preached throughout camp this year is that he's healthy -- and it's been a big difference not just physically, but mentally.
"As long as I'm healthy and I'm able to pitch my pitches and pitch to my ability, I think the results come along with that," Senga said through an interpreter. "I'm striving for that and that's what I'm here to do. I came from Japan to the States to do that. Things aren’t always going to go my way, but if that happens, I’ll grind out there and hopefully the results come."
On Thursday, Senga's fastball hit 97.3 mph. He's hit 99 mph this spring, which is encouraging for Senga and his team. When the fastball is working, Senga's patented ghost fork and other secondary pitches are more effective.
“That’s our ace. If he stays healthy, he’s going to help the team to go all the way," Juan Soto said. "Definitely, he has the stuff to do it. He just got to keep himself in the game.”
"Compared to the previous years, I feel like I am performing at a higher level," Senga said. "So just gotta keep it up for the season."
And Senga's skipper feels the same way. Mendoza echoed Senga's sentiments regarding a new mindset but is also impressed with how early in the season that he's put it together compared to previous seasons.
When he was asked whether his right-hander was close to "peak" Senga, Mendoza did not hesitate to answer.
"I think he’s close," Mendoza said. "Watching him this early, throwing the ball the way he’s been throwing the ball, that’s probably something we saw the second, third week of April last year. It took him a while coming out of spring training. But to see him this early, seems like everything is working for him. Not only the velo, but the movement on all his pitches. He’s pretty close."
Last season, Senga held a 1.26 ERA (four earned runs in 28.2 IP) after five April starts. And while this spring hasn't been that dominant, it's looking similar.
After allowing two runs in 2.2 innings in his spring debut, Senga has followed up with seven scoreless innings in his next two starts. He's also struck out nine batters in that span.
Senga is scheduled to make one more start before the regular season begins. If he can return to that peak form from a year ago, the Mets' rotation will be one to fear.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 19: Jack Wenninger #92 and Chris Suero #96 of the New York Mets celebrate at the end of the top of the third inning during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Mets at Clover Park on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Despite a bevvy of encouraging performances, the Mets’ prospects were defeated by the Rays’ prospects 2-0 in the 2026 Spring Breakout. The outcome is not what you want and the objective viewing experience was a bit dull (it was a sleepy, drizzly affair). But that’s not the point of this event really, it’s all about the prospects we get to see.
Jack Wenninger got the start for the Mets and looked quite good. His splitter was his clear best offering, befuddling hitters and inducing several truly ugly swings. His fastball was at times excellent as well, touching 97 and featuring 20” of vertical break in several instances. Those high-end traits didn’t manifest consistently – the velocity wavered and the shape fluctuated a bit – but the potential is there. The slider is the clear third offering but isn’t a bad pitch by any means. All-in-all, Wenninger racked up six strikeouts in 3.2 innings while allowing only one run, mixing in a slick defensive play to boot.
Jonathan Santucci wasn’t quite as impressive as Wenninger, but looked quite good in his own right. He struck out five in his 3.2 innings of work and allowed only a single run which scored on an error. Like Wenninger, he flashed 20” of IVB on his fastball a couple times. He also mixed in his two breaking ball shapes, but struggled badly when trying to throw his changeup. This is about what I’d expect a back-end starting prospect with frustratingly good stuff to look like. We’ll see if he can learn to harness the raw ingredients a bit more effectively this season.
It’s a lot harder to have any strong takeaways from one-game worth of plate appearances, but several Mets hitters did fun things with the chances they had. Elian Peña ripped a 100 MPH single (thought it was to the opposite field) and worked a walk in his third plate appearance of the day. Randy Guzman had four hard-hit balls, one of which went for an opposite field double and another which missed being a grand slam by about ten feet. Eli Serrano had the hardest batted ball of the day, a 105.4 MPH single. Jacob Reimer and A.J. Ewing had quieter games but each had a single as well.
So yes, despite the score, there was a lot of exciting stuff here. You can look forward to more from these names and others throughout the 2026 season.
Jack Wenninger showed why he is the No. 8 overall prospect -- and top pitcher behind Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong -- in Joe DeMayo's top 30 for the 2026 season. The 24-year-old right-hander threw 42 strikes on 65 pitches, including 12 swings and misses, while touching 97.1 mph on his fastball. Wenninger fanned six, walked one and allowed one run on two hits in 3.2 IP. He showcased his full arsenal, hitting 95 mph into the fourth inning while mixing in a nasty changeup and devastating sweeper. From striking out the side in the first inning to retiring five straight through the third and fourth, Wenninger's outing should keep the Mets excited.
Not to be overlooked, Jonathan Santucci was impressive in his own right. The left-hander got the ball to start the fifth inning and did not disappoint, allowing one run (unearned) on one hit while striking out five and walking two in 3.2 IP. He pounded the zone, throwing 35 strikes on 50 pitches with a fastball that hit 95-96 mph. DeMayo's No. 9 overall prospect and top southpaw had a 1-2-3 fifth inning on an economical 10 pitches before mixing in a devious slider that was some of the electric stuff that led to those four strikeouts.
DeMayo's No. 3 overall prospect,A.J. Ewing, was aggressive out of the gate in the first inning when he Jose Urbina's second-pitch fastball back up the middle for a leadoff single. A third-inning strikeout swinging and fifth-inning flyout to right field followed, ending Ewing's 1-for-3 evening, but he ultimately flashed before Yonatan Henriquez replaced the 22-year-old center fielder in the sixth.
Third baseman Jacob Reimer, DeMayo's No. 5 overall prospect, followed Ewing -- picking up Elian Peña's flyout to center field -- with a one-out single up the middle to put runners on first and second base. Reimer's 1-for-3 effort included a third-inning lineout to shortstop and fifth-inning flyout to left field before his night ended with Antonio Jimenez replacing him in the sixth.
Who's the MVP?
Wenninger, who made the most of his start, put the Mets' team of prospects in a position to win.
Port St. Lucie, FL: New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga during a spring training workout on Feb. 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, FL. (Photo by Alejandra Villa Loarca /Newsday RM via Getty Images) | Newsday via Getty Images
The Mets defeated the Astros by a score of 6-2 tonight in West Palm Beach.
Kodai Senga started for the Mets and went four scoreless innings, allowing just one walk and three hits against four strikeouts. He threw 41 of his 63 pitches for strikes. His swiftest fastball clocked in at 97.1 MPH.
The Mets ran out essentially their Opening Day lineup and scored early and often against the Astros. Marcus Semien drove in the first and sixth runs of the evening on sacrifice flies. Luis Robert Jr. played two on a pair of doubles, and Brett Baty drove in a run on a double of his own. This, along with a bases loaded walk, led to six runs in the first five innings.
Bo Bichette went 2-2 with a walk in three plate appearances. Jorge Polanco went 1-2 with two walks.
In the ‘holding our breath’ department, Francisco Alvarez left the game in top of the fourth inning and was replaced by Jose Aular. It is unknown at this time as to why Alvarez was pulled from the game. Aular walked in his first two at-bats.
Luis García pitched the fifth for the Mets and ran into a little trouble, allowing a run to score on a throwing error, a walk, and a single.
Craig Kimbrel faced two batters in the sixth, striking out both. When he returned for the seventh, he struck out the first batter to face him, but then gave up a triple to Nick Allen. Although he was pulled from the game in favor of Brett Banks, Allen scored and the run was charged to Kimbrel.
Austin Warren and Dicky Lovelady each tossed an inning of scoreless ball.
The Mets play the Cardinals tomorrow at 1:10pm at Clover Park. The game will air on SNY.
The sun slowly melts away behind the San Gabriel Mountains, the cotton candy skies full of pink, orange and blue are so cinematic it feels like it was hand-painted just for Dodgers fans.
Inhale and the aroma of hot dogs, popcorn and garlic fries tickles the nostrils like a memory. And if you’re like most fans, somewhere between first pitch and the seventh-inning stretch, all dietary discipline and restraint disappears.
MLB Photos via Getty Images
According to a recent study by The Lines, Dodgers fans aren’t just watching baseball — they’re devouring it. Literally.
On average, Dodgers fans consume an extra 1,140 calories per game day, one of the highest marks in Major League Baseball. That’s the equivalent of two Dodger dogs, a basket of garlic fries and a couple of cold beers.
And fans do it often.
Dodgers fans surveyed said they watch 3 ½ games per week, which means this isn’t an occasional splurge, it’s more like a ritual. Granted, fans said they consume more calories when they are at Chavez Ravine than they do watching from home or at a sports bar.
Over the course of a 162-game season, that caloric surge stacks into something heavier — roughly 29.2 pounds of potential weight gain. Add October, where the games tighten and the nerves spike, and suddenly that number pushes past 30.
Baseball, it turns out, isn’t just a pastime in Los Angeles. It’s a full-body experience.
On average, Dodgers fans consume an extra 1,140 calories per game day, one of the highest marks in MLB.Dodgers fans surveyed said they watch 3 ½ games per week, which means this isn’t an occasional splurge, it’s more like a ritual. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
League-wide, fans average an extra 753 calories per game. But Dodgers fans live louder than most fans. Only Rangers fans consume more extra calories per game than Dodgers fans with 1,265, because everything is bigger in Texas, even the waistlines.
Here in California, Padres fans are not far behind with 1,015 extra calories consumed. But the Friar faithful also watch more games per week than any other fan base at 4.1 games, meaning they have a potential weight gain of 31.1 pounds during the regular season alone.
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Angels fans, perhaps worn down by their team’s 11-year playoff drought, report just 340 extra calories per game and watch the fewest number of games per week at 2.6.
Giants fans fall somewhere in between. At Oracle Park, fans consume an extra 843 calories on game day. Respectable but still more than the league average.
Over the course of a 162-game season, that caloric surge stacks into something heavier — roughly 29.2 pounds of potential weight gain.Because being a Dodgers fan is about moments and celebrating with a Dodger dog and a Michelada with the loyal fans around you that bleed blue. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
But Dodgers fans? They lean in.
Because being a Dodgers fan has never been about moderation. It’s about moments and celebrating with a Dodger dog and a Michelada with the loyal fans around you that bleed blue.
And if that communion comes with an extra thousand calories?
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 19: Jumbotron displays the Houston Astros team logo during the baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros on June 19, 2022 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Astros will open the 2026 season in exactly one week. At this point in most springs, there might be two or three roster spots still up for grabs, but this year’s 26-man roster feels much murkier. Here is my third and final stab at projecting who will be in uniform next week when the Astros host the Los Angeles Angels.
Starting pitchers: Hunter Brown, Christian Javier, Tatsuya Imai, Mike Burrows, Spencer Arrighetti, Lance McCullers Jr
Also considered: None
It’s been a very good spring for this group, outside of Arrighetti’s first outing. All six are healthy, and all six are throwing the ball well. Even the pitchers outside this group have looked good whenever they’ve taken the ball, so this rotation has the makings of being both very strong and very deep.
Bullpen: Bryan Abreu, Bryan King, Steven Okert, AJ Blubaugh, Ryan Weiss, Enyel De Los Santos, Kai-Wei Teng
Also considered: Roddery Muñoz, Peter Lambert
Bennett Sousa suffered an oblique injury, so he’ll join Josh Hader on the IL to start the season. I’m still working under the assumption that De Los Santos will be ready for Opening Day after suffering an ankle injury, but he has yet to appear in a spring training game.
Muñoz has not allowed an earned run in his last seven outings after giving up two in his debut. He has 14 strikeouts over 8.1 innings and must remain on the active roster all season after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter.
A former second-round pick, Lambert has impressed after a season in Japan, and The Athletic reported that he can opt out of his minor league deal at the end of spring training. He’s put himself in position to make someone’s Opening Day roster if he doesn’t make the Astros’.
Catchers: Yainer Diaz, Christian Vázquez
Also considered: Cèsar Salazar
The Astros wasted no time getting Vázquez into a game after he joined the club following Puerto Rico’s elimination from the WBC. I think he was signed to open the season as Díaz’s backup, but that plan carries some risk. Salazar is out of options, so the Astros would have to expose him to waivers if they send him down.
Infielders: Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Jeremy Peña, Christian Walker, Isaac Paredes, Nick Allen
Also considered: Brice Matthews, Zach Dezenzo
We still don’t know if Peña, who fractured a finger during a WBC tune-up game, will be available for Opening Day. However, the Astros haven’t ruled it out, which suggests that even if he can’t go next Thursday, he wouldn’t miss enough time to require an IL stint.
I’ve had Cole on the Opening Day roster in each of my first two projections, but he’s up to 17 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances—north of 40%. His results on balls in play haven’t been much better, so a little time in Sugar Land might do him some good.
Dezenzo’s elbow injury likely takes him out of the running for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez was pinch-hit for early in Thursday's spring training game against the Astros.
Alvarez struck out in his only at-bat and caught starter Kodai Senga for three innings, but when his turn at the plate came up in the fourth with the bases loaded and two outs, manager Carlos Mendoza had catcher Jose Aular pinch-hit and the youngster walked in a run to give the Mets a 3-0 lead.
After the game, Mendoza said that Alvarez's back tightened up and they took him out as a precaution.
"Back started to get tight and it was just precautionary," Mendoza said. "Trainers took a look at him and seems to be doing ok. He said that if this was the regular season, he could keep playing. As of right now, he’s day-to-day. He’s not scheduled to play tomorrow. We’ll see where we’re at for the following day."
Entering Thursday's game, Alvarez was having a very strong spring. After his one AB against the Astros, Alvarez was 8-for-22 (.364) with three doubles, one home run and four RBI in 10 games.
MESA, AZ - MARCH 08: Bryce Eldridge #8 of the San Francisco Giants greets a staff member prior to the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on Sunday, March 8, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by George Gaza/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
In a teeny tiny bit of a shocker, the San Francisco Giants have optioned top prospect Bryce Eldridge to Triple-A Sacramento, according to Maria Guardado via social media. Joining him are IF/OF Tyler Fitzgerald and OF Grant McCray, bringing a lot of the roster decision questions towards a swift answer. It looks like the team is prepared to feature a heavy right-handed lineup and depth chart to kickoff the season.
Through April, they’re up against the following potential starting left-handed pitchers: Max Fried (Yankees), David Petersen and/or Sean Manaea (Mets), Cristopher Sanchez and/or Jesus Luzardo (Phillies), Trevor Rogers (Orioles), Andrew Abbott and/or Nick Lodolo (Reds), Foster Griffin (Nationals), and Braxton Garrett (Marlins). A tough bunch, to be sure, but not a majority of the starters the team will face that would necessitate an extreme alignment of the roster.
I say “teeny tiny bit of a shocker” because, although Eldridge leads the team in plate appearances (49) for this Cactus League season and is slugging a solid .450, he does lead the team in strikeouts (19) by a healthy margin and he’s hitting just .225, and he was just 3-for-his-last-18 with 1 extra base hit before the option. For a team that’s oversteering back towards batting average being the primary factor in valuing a hitter, that’s too ugly to ignore. In spite of Jerar Encarnacion’s .283 on base percentage and 0 walks, he’s hitting .289 and slugging .467. Luis Matos is at .268 (*and* a .348 OBP) with a .463 slug and just 3 strikeouts (against 1 walk).
If both Encarnacion and Matos do what they’ve done for most of their major league careers (get injured and be overwhelmed by major league pitching, respectively), then you can imagine how poorly this is likely to go — on the other hand, they’ve certainly earned the roster spot while the prospect with options has done exactly what an intriguing prospect should do: play well enough to stay in consideration. It just wasn’t enough to bump a player with a bit more of a track record. But still, this transaction is on the shocker (again, “teeny tiny”), as a lot of prognosticators and fans figured that Eldridge’s talent was such that he could finish his development at the major league level and is one of the organization’s biggest power threats even with the swing and miss.
The Giants could still add him back to the roster within the first two weeks of the season to qualify for the Prospect Promotion Incentive, so that’s something to keep an eye on. A reminder about what the PPI is:
MLB clubs can earn a Draft pick after the first round if a PPI-eligible player accrues one year of service as a rookie and then factors into a major award. That means he either has to win his league’s Rookie of the Year award or place in the top three in MVP or Cy Young voting prior to qualifying for arbitration.
For those who’ve been following the team very closely during the spring, this is not really a surprise, though, nor is (my once beloved) Tyler Fitzgerald (.189 with 14 K and 0 BB in 37 AB!) winding up back in Triple-A for what certainly seems like the tail end of his time with the Giants (barring a miracle). It’s the Grant McCray of it all. Here’s a left-handed outfielder with speed who can glove the heck out of all three outfield positions. He’s also drawn 8 walks against just 6 strikeouts in 38 PA and is 3-for-5 in stolen base attempts. Surely, the team could’ve used a player like that as the 12th or 13th player on the depth chart? Instead, it looks like Will Brennan will take that spot thanks to an 11-for-33 spring, giving him a triple slash of .333/.405/.424. Brennan is a career .267/.307/.373, but you can see how a 90 wRC+ guy is a safer bet than the likely lower than 90 wRC+ for Grant McCray.
This sixth round of camp cuts drops the group to 42. Still a lot of players to clear out before the team heads back to the Bay for the Wednesday night opener (for which tickets are still available!).
Kodai Senga continued his strong spring, and Luis Robert Jr. and Marcus Semien led the way offensively as the Mets defeated the Houston Astros, 6-2, in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Thursday night.
The Mets are now 12-9 in Grapefruit League play with a week to go before Opening Day.
Here are the takeaways...
-Senga wasn't as dominant as his last spring start, but he showed a lot of resiliency, stranding runners and not allowing his lack of pinpoint command to get to him.
He allowed a baserunner in his first three innings, including a runner on second with one out, but got Christian Walker to ground out and Yainer Diaz to strike out to get out of the jam in the second inning. In the fourth, Cam Smith doubled with one out but was stranded when Senga got Zach Cole to pop up and Walker out on strikes.
Senga was done after four scoreless innings (63 pitches, 41 strikes), allowing three hits and one walk while striking out four. He's now thrown seven consecutive scoreless innings and has 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings pitched.
Most encouraging was that he topped out at 97.3 mph on Thursday and has reached 99 mph this spring.
-The Mets had their A-squad on the field and scratched across a run in the second thanks to aRobert double and Semien sac fly, which was set up by a Brett Baty flyout. Baty started in right field on Thursday.
In the fourth, they had another chance to put up some runs after Bo Bichette led off with a single and Jorge Polanco walked. Robert popped up, but Baty picked him up with a double that plated Bichette. Polanco was late breaking from first, so he didn't score, but the Mets would get a run anyway. After Semien struck out, and Mark Vientos walked to load the bases, catcher Jose Aular walked to push across a run.
Aular pinch-hit for Francisco Alvarez, who was supposed to catch the entire game but got pulled after just one at-bat in three innings.
-The Mets blew open the game in the fifth. Juan Soto and Bichette led off with back-to-back walks, and then Polanco dumped a single to load the bases. Robert fought back from down 0-2 to even the count and then doubled in two runs to give the Mets a 5-0 lead. Semien followed a Baty walk with a sac fly to drive in the team's third run of the inning. The threat of more was extinguished after Vientos grounded into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.
-Francisco Lindor, in just his third spring game, went hitless but played seven innings at shortstop without issue.
-Here's how the Mets' starters fared:
Lindor: 0-4, BB
Soto: 0-2, R, BB
Bichette: 2-2, 2 R, BB
Polanco: 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB
Robert Jr.: 2-4, 2 RBI, R
Baty: 1-3, RBI, BB
Semien: 0-1, 2 RBI, BB
Vientos: 0-3, BB
Alvarez: 0-1
-For the Mets bullpen on this day, Craig Kimbrel got some work in, hoping to crack the Opening Day roster. He struck out the two batters he faced (on just 12 pitches) in the sixth and came back out for the seventh. He struck out the leadoff hitter before allowing a triple -- a hit that right fielder AJ Salgado tried to make a diving catch on, but had it get past him. Kimbrel was pulled after the hit, and the next pitcher allowed a single and the future Hall of Fame closer's run to score.
Today the Texas Rangers have hopped the bus for a trip over to Phoenix, AZ to have a Cactus League quarrel against the Milwaukee Brewers.
LHP Jacob Latz will take the mound for Texas as the battle for the final spot in the rotation — of which Latz remains a competitor — nears a conclusion. Milwaukee will counter with RHP Brandon Woodruff.
Today’s Lineups
RANGERS
BREWERS
Evan Carter – CF
Sal Frelick – RF
Joc Pederson – DH
Joey Ortiz – SS
Danny Jansen – C
Christian Yelich – DH
Ezequiel Duran – SS
Andrew Vaughn – 1B
Mark Canha – LF
Garrett Mitchell – CF
Sam Haggerty – 2B
Gary Sanchez – C
Tyler Wade – 3B
Luis Rengifo – 3B
Alejandro Osuna – RF
Brandon Lockridge – LF
Jonah Bride – 1B
David Hamilton – 2B
Jacob Latz – LHP
Brandon Woodruff – RHP
You can listen to the game via 105.3 The Fan or follow along on Gameday. First pitch from American Family Fields of Phoenix is scheduled for 8:10 pm CT.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 01: Bo Naylor #23 of the Cleveland Guardians rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers in game two of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on October 01, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
And, for the nightcap, here’s your major league spring training lineup for the Guardians:
Mar 12, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A general view of game action between the Chicago White Sox and the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
A night game – and this one was actually scheduled this way, rather than being pushed back to the night to avoid the heat! Can’t say I blame anyone though. A high of 103 F today is just… wrong for mid-March, and it’s only a couple of degrees cooler than that now. Forecast high of 105 F tomorrow. Dear lord. I’m starting the countdown to the annual declaration by Mrs. SnakePit that she can’t take it any more, and we need to move. Don’t think we’ve ever previously had that discussion before Opening Day. Speaking of which, a week from now, things will be under way in games that matter…
Definitely an A-bullpen kinda day, with all the scheduled pitchers after Michael Soroka being ones with a non-zero chance of making the Opening Day roster. Specifically: RHP Kevin Ginkel, RHP Ryan Thompson, LHP Brandyn Garcia, RHP Jonathan Loaisiga and RHP Andrew Hoffmann. Garcia might be the one on thinnest ice, after a pair of spectacularly bad outings. Eleven batters faced, two outs – three hits, four walks and two hit batters. One more appearance like that and there’ll almost be no way back for him, considering there are only a handful of spring games left.
No broadcast apparently for this one, so you are on your own. Recappage should follow, but I’ll be on my phone, so it may be short and/or misspelled.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Bryce Eldridge didn’t make the Giants’ Opening Day roster.
The club’s top prospect was optioned to Triple-A on Thursday along with two other cuts that left 42 players still in major-league camp with San Francisco.
Eldridge, 21, was considered a serious option for the Opening Day roster despite his age and lack of experience due to his advanced approach at the plate and raw power.
Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge did not make the team’s Opening Day roster. AP
However, the 6-foot-7 slugger entered the spring with questions about his defensive abilities at first base, a position he only picked up after the Giants drafted him 16th overall in 2023.
Look no further than Eldridge’s playing time this spring for how seriously the Giants were considering breaking camp with him. Only two players logged more at-bats.
Eldridge made some of the hardest contact of anyone in the Cactus League but struck out in 19 of his 49 plate appearances (38.7%). He ended spring batting .225 (9 for 40) in 19 games with one homer, one triple and four doubles but admitted to not feeling comfortable in the box toward the end of camp.
“For him overall to look dangerous and comfortable at the same time is something that we’re all analyzing from over here probably even more so than the result,” manager Tony Vitello said Thursday afternoon before the decision had been made public. “I think he has found that at times. It’s a matter of it being consistent. Part of that just comes from reps.”
Eldridge wasn’t likely to get many defensive reps at the big-league level with Rafael Devers expected to handle first base. He will get an opportunity to get everyday reps in the field and at the plate to start the season with Triple-A Sacramento.
The Giants, meanwhile, will be able to time Eldridge’s call-up when he is feeling better at the plate. In the meantime, the roster move opens the door for players such as Luis Matos and Jerar Encarnacion, who have put together strong springs but are out of options.
Eldridge has played 84 games above Double-A, including 10 at the major-league level at the end of last season. He recorded three hits in 28 at-bats and is still seeking his first big-league home run.
In three minor-league seasons, Eldridge has 56 home runs, a .275 batting average and an .861 OPS. It didn’t take long for the hype train to leave the station after he began posting elite exit velocities in complex-league games shortly after being drafted as an 18-year-old high schooler. Eldridge emerged as one of the top prospects in all of baseball in 2024 as he climbed through four minor-league levels.
Now the consensus top prospect in the Giants‘ farm system, Eldridge was rated the No. 25 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline and No. 18 in Baseball America’s Top 100 entering this spring.
