TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 26: Nacho Alvarez Jr. #24 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a two-RBI double in the third inning against the New York Yankees during a Grapefruit League spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 26, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This morning, Atlanta Braves formally announce that infielder Nacho Alvarez, Jr. and reliever Hunter Stratton have been optioned to Triple-A and that non-roster invitees catcher Chadwick Tromp and reliever Javy Guerra have been reassigned to the minor league camp. Alvarez, Jr.’s option appeared on the team’s transaction page yesterday.
For Alvarez, Jr., Tromp and Guerra, this isn’t surprising as all three players will be playing in the World Baseball Classic for Mexico, Netherlands and Panama, respectively, and all three were likely to start the year in the minors baring an injury to those above them on the team’s depth chart.
Stratton, who pitched in 12 games out of the bullpen for Atlanta, also figured to start the year in Triple-A. He has pitched in parts of three seasons in the big leagues, all with the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to joining Atlanta during the 2025 season.
BRADENTON, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Manager Craig Albernaz #55 of the Baltimore Orioles hands the ball to Grant Wolfram #48 in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during a Grapefruit League spring training game at LECOM Park on February 27, 2026 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2025 Orioles’ season was a demonstration in the fragility of success. GM Mike Elias took his foot off the gas pedal, banking on the roster he had already assembled in lieu of making upgrades from outside the organization. The gamble didn’t pay off; the Orioles instantly floundered as their pitching imploded and their young offense couldn’t make up the deficit. For a team which had finally returned to prominence the previous two years following such a long period of futility, the failure of 2025 was a stark reminder of how deadly complacency can become in one of the most competitive divisions in baseball.
This offseason, Baltimore bucked their recent trends, giving a large free agent contract to a veteran slugger in an effort to complement their young core. They’ve also hired a first-time MLB manager to oversee this talented group as they vie to return to the postseason. Now the question becomes, have the O’s done enough to stand out against a crowded AL East field?
Baltimore Orioles 2025 record: 75-87 (5th, AL East) 2026 FanGraphs projection: 84-78 (4th, AL East)
Obviously, the Orioles are still a team built around their cost-controlled young position players. Baltimore brings back every notable member of their homegrown assembly of hitters: Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg, Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, and Coby Mayo. Holliday and Westburg will miss the start of the season, but as we’ll get into, this is just the beginning of the laundry list. Heck, even Ryan Mountcastle is still here. You’ll notice the vast majority of these players are infielders. And y’know who else plays the infield?
Why, that would be former Mets slugger Pete Alonso, the big splash signing the Orioles made this offseason. Hilarious, right? Mike Elias finally swallows his pride to give a big contract to somebody, and it’s a power-hitting first baseman who’s already over 30. Alonso is the exact kind of player a GM like Elias ordinarily wouldn’t be caught dead offering a contract, but these are strange times we inhabit. It’s a good thing they realized that making Camden Yards the worst park for right-handed power hitters in the league was a bad idea— otherwise Alonso wouldn’t have been caught dead signing in Baltimore, either. But here we are.
In addition to bringing Alonso, the Orioles traded away oft-injured pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to acquire Taylor Ward from the Angels. Ward is a big of a strange fit with the O’s, but it’s hard to scoff at adding a guy who hit nearly as many homers as Alonso last season. Tyler O’Neill, last year’s ‘major’ signing, is another guy who can hit a ton of homers, though he regressed badly in 2025.
I would be remiss to forget Samuel Basallo, another big-time prospect who will give Rutchman little margin for error lest he be usurped as the everyday catcher. And oh yeah, Dylan Beavers and Heston Kjerstad are in the mix for playing time too. For as often as the Yankees are accused of prospect-hugging, the Orioles appear committed to holding onto all of these guys. It doesn’t feel like it could possibly work long-term, though roster logjams like those tend to work themselves out.
Now let’s work our way over to the trouble spot for Baltimore: the pitching. After the Orioles declined to re-sign Corbin Burnes last offseason, their rotation fell off a cliff in the former Cy Young winner’s absence. De facto ace Kyle Bradish spent most of the year recovering from Tommy John surgery, and the O’s were forced to rely on a gaggle of unsteady veterans, including but not limited to Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Zach Eflin.
The only major victory the O’s got out of their pitching last season was the career revival of Trevor Rogers, who posted startlingly good numbers upon returning to regular rotation duty in June. Ultimately, it was only a 109.2-inning sample, albeit a convincing one. The Orioles appear to be banking pretty heavily on what we saw from Rogers down the stretch sticking.
Rogers and Bradish are a solid top two — on paper — but the depth beyond them is questionable. Veteran Chris Bassitt has been dependable for many years, but just turned 37. Zach Eflin struggled badly but returns on a one-year deal. Rays castoff Shane Baz has looked good in camp, but has mostly existed in the realm of the hypothetical breakout for almost a decade. Additionally, their bullpen lacks a ton of high-upside guys beyond free agent signing Ryan Helsley — who struggled badly with the Mets after the trade deadline last year. Imposing closer Félix Bautista is still recovering from shoulder surgery after he tore his labrum last summer.
Lastly, the Orioles have a new manager entering this season. Craig Albernaz, who previously served as Steven Vogt’s associate manager in Cleveland, got the nod to hold this talented but young roster together. Like Aaron Boone, Albernaz is known for his ability to connect with his players, and that quality seems to be what got him the job in Baltimore. He’ll be tasked with keeping morale high over a long season in a gauntlet of a division; with the Yankees running it back, the Blue Jays reloading after their pennant win and the Red Sox still formidable in their own right, the margin for error will be slim.
Overall, the Orioles’ roster is more volatile than those aforementioned rivals. Pitching depth is rather slim, many of their best players have lengthy injury histories, and they may not be able to find enough playing time for all of their young players. But if they can get off to a good start, they’ll be one of the best-positioned teams to make midseason upgrades and raise their ceiling along the road to October.
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 05: Andrew Painter #47 of the Glendale Desert Dogs pitches during the game between the Scottsdale Scorpions and the Glendale Desert Dogs at Camelback Ranch - Glendale on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Grapefruit League schedule continues on Sunday with the Yankees visiting Clearwater. But there will be considerably less star power on hand, as several prominent players like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Brad Keller have departed for World Baseball Classic competition.
But the game shouldn’t lack for interest as it will feature the 2026 debut of pitcher Andrew Painter. We’ll get our first look at the righthanded prospect who is expected to open the season in the Phillies’ rotation.
The Yankees will counter with a young pitcher of their own in righthander Will Warren. As a rookie in 2025, Warren made 33 starts recording a 4.44 ERA.
Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini, 51, was sentenced on Friday, Feb. 27 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his father-in-law Gary Spohr and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law Wendy Wood during a 2021 burglary at the couple's home in Lake Tahoe, California.
Serafini was convicted in July 2025, with his sentencing coming more than six months after it was originally scheduled.
Serafini has maintained his innocence throughout, motioning for multiple re-trials, which have all been denied. The former left-handed pitcher had a sour relationship with his in-laws, but his attorneys argued the lack of physical evidence should have precluded a guilt verdict. Serafini claimed he was partying with his wife the night of the shooting.
Why was Daniel Serafini found guilty?
Prosecutors argued Serafini hated his wife's parents and wanted their wealth. They also said that Serafini been heard telling his friends that he'd be willing to pay up to $20,000 to have them killed.
During the course of his six-week trial, multiple emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws were brought into evidence, showcasing Serafini's vitriol towards them.
Serafini's attorney argued that there was no physical evidence linking Serafini to the crime scene, and denied that his client had any motive to kill his parents despite their poor relationship.
Where will Daniel Serafini serve his sentence?
Serafini will serve his life sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
When was Daniel Serafini drafted?
Serafini was drafted in the first round (26th overall) in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins, making his MLB debut in 1996 for the same team. In seven MLB seasons, he had a career 6.04 ERA while playing for the Twins, Chicago Cubs San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Feb 19, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Tobias Myers (32) poses for a photo during media day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Tom Seaver demanded a new contract before reporting to camp—a signal of the tensions that would continue to linger between the two sides until their eventual divorce—on this date in 1976.
Feb 14, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. announced today that the St. Louis Cardinals and manager Oli Marmol had agreed to a two-year contract extension with an option for a third year. BDW noted that Oli is in his 20th year in the Cardinals organization and knows what the Cardinals are about. The Chairman indicated that this announcement recognizes that people need to know he is their guy. He offered that they have been building to this moment for a while.
President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom added his own thoughts, reflecting on the trusting relationship he had built with Oli beginning with his first visit into St. Louis in 2024. Bloom offered that he saw a lot of benefit in being able to build a relationship with Oli during his first two years without the burden of being POBO, allowing for a free flow of thoughts back and forth. Bloom emphasized Oli’s strong player development background and articulated a belief that the game itself is evolving to emphasize more development at the MLB level, and that the manager’s role is changing right along with that. Development doesn’t stop when you get to the MLB was his theme.
Oli himself expressed appreciation to ownership, front office and especially the many players gathered in the room for the press conference. Oli described the initial roster he inherited with guys like Wainwright, Yadi, Albert, Nolan and Goldy as a way of illuminating the stark transition this organization has undergone in the last 4 years. He drew a distinction with the roster he has in 2026 and expressed his excitement has never being higher than it is right now. He acknowledged that his role sometimes involves difficult conversations, going both ways and he appreciates the trust and openness he has been able to develop with the players and others in the organization.
Tradition and stability long have been watchwords with the Cardinals and this announcement certainly doesn’t contradict that aspect of their culture. A nuance that I sense from this press conference and other interactions is that additional terms begin to gain strong traction – alignment, development, trust. Not necessarily new terms, but perhaps ones with different emphasis. For the front office, Oliver Marmol embeds each of these attributes in a unique way that makes him their guy.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 17: Jack Leiter #22 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 17, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Feb 28, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; A detailed view of the field after a spring training game between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images | Allan Henry-Imagn Images
After experiencing the first week plus a day of spring training to exhaust the February portion of the Cactus League schedule, the Dodgers open March with a Sunday home game against the Angels.
Four of the Dodgers’ seven games this week are at Camelback Ranch, including an exhibition game Wednesday against Mexico as part of a build-up for the World Baseball Classic starting later this week. Friday and Saturday against the Royals and Rockies, respectively, are the Dodgers’ first two night games this spring.
To that end, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have already left to join Team Japan in Tokyo, and Hyeseong Kim is also headed to Pool C in Tokyo while playing for Korea in the WBC. Dodgers catcher Will Smith and closer Edwin Díaz will join the United States and Puerto Rico, respectively. The first World Baseball Classic game on the schedule involving a Dodgers player is Kim and Korea taking on Czechia on Thursday at 2 a.m. PT.
Here is the Dodgers’ schedule for the next week, plus WBC pool play games as well. All times are in the Pacific Time Zone.
Sunday, March 1
Dodgers vs. Angels, 12:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA, AM 570)
Monday, March 2
Dodgers at Rockies, 12:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)
Tuesday, March 3
Dodgers at Guardians, 12:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA)
Wednesday, March 4
Dodgers vs. Team Mexico, 12:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA)
Thursday, March 5
WBC: Korea vs. Czechia, 2 a.m. (FS1) Dodgers at Reds, 12:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA, ESPN)
Friday, March 6
WBC: Japan vs. Chinese Taipei, 2 a.m. (FS1) WBC: Puerto Rico vs. Colombia, 3 p.m. (FS1) WBC: United States vs. Brazil, 5 p.m. (Fox) Dodgers vs. Royals, 5:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA)
Saturday, March 7
WBC: Japan vs. Korea, 2 a.m. (FS1) WBC: Puerto Rico vs. Panama, 3 p.m. (FS1) WBC: United States vs. Great Britain, 5 p.m. (Fox) Dodgers vs. Rockies, 5:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA, AM 570)
Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets first baseman Jose Rojas (81) celebrates after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
There’s a term that you hear tossed around baseball circles a lot, especially this time of year: Quad-A player. This means someone who is probably better than Triple-A talent but isn’t necessarily cut out for the majors, either. There tends to be subsets of Quad-A players, including but not limited to the defensive whiz who can’t really hit a lick but is phenomenal with the glove, the pitcher whose movement plays on the farm but not under the bright lights, and the corner guy with power.
Jose Rojas is a corner guy with power in the model of Val Pascucci, Nick Evans, Mike Hessman, and other remnants of the 2008-2013 Mets. Rojas has all the markings of this type: a few seasons of slugging over .500, success in Asia, multiple stints in various latin winter leagues, and limited opportunities and even more limited success on the big stage.
On the surface, this is yet another depth signing, an opportunity to squeeze a little juice out of a player that may not have a ton more to give. But for the Mets, there’s a little more here because of their particular roster construction. While not his primary position, Rojas actually has the second most minor league reps at first base of anyone in camp behind Ryan Clifford, and has one more major league game at first as does the Mets’ probable Opening Day first baseman, Jorge Polanco, with two.
On top of that, Rojas’s 2025 season, spent with the Yankees’ Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre club, was his best in six years. Rojas put up a .287/.379/.599 line with 32 home runs and 105 RBIs while logging time at three infield positions (not shortstop) and the corner outfield spots.
Does any of this add up to a likely spot on the major league roster? No, it doesn’t. In terms of long term solutions, the club would probably want to have Mark Vientos or Brett Baty fill in at first if Polanco can’t cut it or is hurt. Similarly, if the aforementioned Clifford is having a strong year in Syracuse, he would be a candidate to log innings there.
All of that is to say that for Rojas to be an impact player on the roster a lot would have to go wrong, or he would have to have an offensive season the likes of which he’s never had before to force his way onto the roster. Save for that, Rojas is likely to be a quality bat at Triple-A, ready for a brief call up if the need arises.
Feb 26, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller (50) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Happy Sunday everyone! It’s becoming a bit of a pattern for the Sunday links to prominently feature Kade Anderson. I wonder if that will end next week. I honestly hope not. The kid is so electric he has me wondering about other undeniable spring standouts and which of them ended up turning out the best for bygone Mariners teams. Which Mariners have had Spring performances that made you think they were headed for absolute greatness?
In Mariners news…
Lookout Landing established boots on the ground in Peoria yesterday, and the first post is an important reminder, all people yearn for properly fitting pants.
Kade Anderson, the darling of Spring Training so far, made his Cactus League debut yesterday, and true to form, he did not disappoint.
Angels outfielder Josh Lowe, who the team acquired via trade a few weeks ago and was expected to be one of the team’s Opening Day outfielders, is taking a little extra time to get up to full speed with oblique tightness.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Oliver Marmol have agreed to a two-year contract extension, the club announced Sunday, March 1, affording the manager a measure of security as the club plunges deeper into a rebuild.
Marmol, 39, is entering his fifth season as Cardinals manager, a stint that began with a 2022 NL Central title and appearance in the wild-card series, yet took a downturn with win totals ranging from 71 to 83 wins and no playoff berths in the three subsequent seasons.
Yet as the club prepared to move on from longtime baseball operations president John Mozeliak, Marmol kept a steady hand and endured through the transition to new baseball chief Chaim Bloom. And the extension would certainly quell whispers that two-time World Series champion Yadier Molina might be a manager-in-waiting.
Molina was hired in January as a special assistant to Bloom, tasked with working with the Cardinals' catchers, and is the manager for Puerto Rico's World Baseball Classic squad.
Marmol's extension runs through the 2028 season and includes a club option for 2029. And with Gold Glove shortstop Masyn Winn soon to join forces with top prospect JJ Wetherholt in the middle of hte Cardinals infield, along with other rising talent in the organization, Marmol feels he's just hitting his stride, rather than getting stale.
"I feel like I'm built exactly for this moment in Cardinal history," he told reporters in Jupiter, with several players and family members filling the press conference room at their spring-training facility.
Marmol's tenure as manager long precedes Bloom's time in the organization - the former Red Sox baseball operations chief was hired in January 2024 - yet Bloom did not feel hesitant ensuring Marmol would further mold the young talent Bloom hopes to assemble.
"“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow," says Bloom in a statement released by the team. "I am energized to continue working with him toward the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Dodgers lineup plans have taken shape over the first few weeks of spring training, with the welcome task of figuring out where to insert newcomer Kyle Tucker into an increasingly stacked lineup.
Freddie Freeman, who collected three of his planned 47 plate appearances this spring on Saturday at Camelback Ranch, spoke with Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA from the dugout after his day was complete, and confirmed that he’ll bat fourth this season after hitting mostly third and some cleanup last season.
“I’ve always loved being in the middle of the lineup, with guys in scoring position,” Freeman said. “I love when there’s guys on base, and I can either move them from first to third or drive them in.”
The plan is for Tucker to hit second after Shohei Ohtani, followed by Mookie Betts and then Freeman. But what does Freeman gain by going from second or third to batting cleanup? Here are the plate appearances with runners on base and in scoring from 2025, by batting order, both league-wide and on the Dodgers.
Order position
MLB on base
LA on base
MLB RISP
LA RISP
1st
257
268
154
138
2nd
311
324
165
171
3rd
330
333
183
185
4th
338
344
201
205
5th
298
315
182
185
6th
287
294
168
169
7th
285
289
162
165
8th
276
279
165
163
9th
263
262
157
145
MLB figures are the average of all 30 teams
Cleanup hitters, unsurprisingly, bat the most often both with runners on base and in scoring position. In 2025, the average MLB team saw its fourth hitter bat eight more times with runners on than No. 3 hitters, and 18 more times with a runner in scoring position.
Freeman started 96 times batting third last season and 47 times hitting fourth, plus two starts batting second. He did lead the Dodgers with 291 plate appearances with runners on base, one more than Mookie Betts, who hit mostly second with a smattering of first. Freeman’s 161 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, two more than Andy Pages, who saw three quarters of his starts batting fifth, sixth, or seventh.
So Freeman should get plenty of chances to do damage with runners on base this season, and brings us to today’s question: How many RBI will Freeman have in 2026?
But there’s one other thing I want to note, and it pertains to the top of the order. Ohtani is the best hitter in the National League, and a common question I see is why is he batting first rather than a bit lower in the order so his many hits and extra-base hits can drive more runners in. Ohtani and the Dodgers prefer to bat him first, which maximizes his total plate appearances, the main argument being that he does plenty of damage all by himself.
Perhaps the biggest impact of adding Tucker will be not in the top of the lineup but at the bottom. After all, with Freeman hitting fourth, the Dodgers will have plenty of lineups with Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, and Tommy Edman hitting sixth or lower.
Dodgers seventh-through-ninth batters last year collectively batted .228/.294/.369, ranking 20th in on-base percentage in MLB. With better hitters batting lower in the order in 2026, that will likely mean more runners on base when Ohtani comes to the plate. Even if that leads to more intentional walks for Ohtani, the Dodgers have Tucker right behind him. That’s plenty of chances to do damage.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 25: Alek Jacob #37 of the San Diego Padres warms up during the third inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Peoria Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jackson Merrill and Nick Schnell each hit two-run home runs to help the San Diego Padres get a 7-1 win over the Seattle Mariners at the Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday. The Padres avenged the loss to the Mariners in the Cactus League opener. JP Sears had a strong bounce back performance, lasting three innings, allowing one run with one walk and one strikeout. The San Diego bullpen was dominant and allowed just one hit over the final six innings of the game. The Padres play the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz. today at 12:05 p.m.
Padres News:
Sung-Mun Song is ready and willing to fill whatever need the Padres have for him, which could result in him playing the role of super utility player. Song has had a strong showing with his glove this spring and has recently recorded a couple of hits as he adjusts to MLB pitching.
San Diego pitching coach Ruben Niebla spoke with the media on Saturday and talked about the competitions for the final spot or spots in the rotation and the final spot or spots in the bullpen. There are several talented arms in camp and Niebla and the other decision makers within the organization will have the difficult task of deciding who makes the team and who does not.
Walker Buehler pitched to members of a KBO team at the Padres’ Spring Training facility and had a successful outing, which could mean we will see him on the mound for the Padres in the near future.
The New York Yankees agreed to a deal with free agent Cody Bellinger this offseason and he is already taking time off the field. Bellinger was held out of the Yankees game due to back discomfort.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 27: Overall View in the second inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park on September 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Braves have 65 players in camp right now. Yesterday Nacho Alvarez has already left for the World Baseball Classic. So that’s effectively your first cut. The Braves have a pair of split-squad games today and an off day Tuesday. So they will play a ton of players today, and typically off days are when the big cuts happen. So who is next to be cut by the Braves? Let’s look at some options here.
Garret Baumann – Has reached only High-A.
Javy Guerra – Played in Japan the last two years. Nacho was cut for the WBC, and Javy will be off soon as well.
Owen Murphy – Has reached only High-A, but has impressed.
Austin Pope – One total MLB appearance. Is he in the 2026 mix or not?
Alex Lodise – Has reached only High-A.
Dominic Smith – Destined for the WBC. Have the Braves gotten a good enough look?
There are more but these are probably your fringiest guys. I don’t know how wide of a net the Braves have for relievers, so they might stick around. But soon the guys in the mix for those last spots are gonna have to duke it out. I’m not aching for any of the Braves to go away now, but the clock is ticking.
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 15, 2022: Oswaldo Cabrera #95 of the New York Yankees celebrates hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning in Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on October 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
More than a decade ago, the Yankees signed a 16-year-old Venezuelan shortstop as part of their international free agent class. He was by no means the biggest name in it, nor did he receive the most money from the Yanks in that class.
Half a decade later, he debuted with the Yankees and had an abbreviated, yet electric rookie season. Unfortunately, a sophomore slump hit hard. Since then, he’s never recovered at the plate — worse, a brutal injury cost him most of the 2025 season. Despite all that, Oswaldo Cabrera’s versatility, baseball IQ, and outstanding attitude have made him a surprisingly important player for the Yankees, and I think we’re all looking forward to seeing him back in pinstripes in 2026.
Oswaldo Alberto Cabrera Born: March 1, 1999 (Guarenas, Venezuela) Yankees Tenure: 2022-present
In July 2015, the Yankees signed a then-16-year-old Oswaldo Cabrera for $100,000 as part of that year’s international free agent class. The Yanks had spent a boatload of money the year before (to a horrifically scant return, as it turns out), so they were capped at $300,000 per signing. For fans who’ve followed the Yankees minor-league system, names including Luis Medina, Deivi Garcia, and Andres Chaparro were part of the 2015 IFA class as well.
Young Waldo began the 2016 season at Rookie Ball, and from there embarked on the same journey thousands of prospects before him took: the long, slow climb up the MiLB ladder. By the time the 2018 season approached, Ozzie found himself on the prospect radar, albeit at the back end of the Yankees’ system. FanGraphs ranked him 26th on their list, remarking:
“Cabrera has advanced feel to hit, not much power, and the ability to play both positions up the middle… It’s a utility profile but with good odds given the advanced bat and feel for the game.”
Cabrera continued to toil in the minors, losing valuable development opportunities (as all prospects did) when COVID-19 brought the world to a screeching halt in 2020. Then 2021 happened. Defying the “not much power” assessment, Oswaldo clubbed 29 home runs across Double- and Triple-A and put together a 31-game on-base streak that summer.
His performance did not go unnoticed. Minor League Baseball named him the Double-A Northeast Most Valuable Player and he shot up various pre-season prospect rankings for 2022, with MLB placing him 14th on their rankings and FanGraphs slotting him in at No. 13. Unfortunately for Cabrera, on the cusp of the major leagues, the injury bug reared its head. A shoulder injury cost him approximately two months in early 2022. Upon his return, however, Waldo was unstoppable, putting together a .330 batting average with a 1.040 OPS in 25 games.
With the Yankees scuffling, Cabrera’s time had come. Losers of 11 of their last 13 games during the dog days of August, New York called him up to the Bronx. It took no time for him to make an impact. Two days after his call-up, he was in right field on a Friday night at Yankee Stadium. On the first pitch of the game, he flashed some leather. And some hops. Instant home run robbery.
Cabrera saw most of his playing time in right field. But he was nonetheless almost everywhere, seeing time at first, second, and third base, shortstop, and left field. All the while, he kept showing off defensively and delivering at the plate. By the time the playoffs rolled around, he was firmly ensconced in the Yankee lineup.
In his first taste of playoff baseball, Cabrera struggled, though he did come through for the Yanks in a huge spot. Facing Triston McKenzie in the top of the fifth inning in Game 3 of the ALDS in Cleveland, Cabrera came to the plate in a tied game in a tied series. With Harrison Bader on first base, Waldo launched a two-run home run to right field, looking into the Yankee dugout for good measure before rounding the bases. His knock gave the Yankees the lead, until a brutal bullpen meltdown in the ninth inning cost them the game, though they went on to win the series.
As magical as his debut seemed, Ozzie’s sophomore season was abysmal. He was almost an automatic out when he stepped into the batter’s box, “boasting” a 59 wRC+. I guess if there was one good thing, he checked another position off his to-do list on August 31st, when he saw time in center field for the first time.
Two years later, with the Yanks on the wrong end of a blowout against the Dodgers, he stepped onto a big-league mound for the first time and even recorded an out. All that remains is for him to don the tools of ignorance at some point and get behind the plate.
Cabrera has never rediscovered the form at the plate he showed in ‘22. He’s been particularly hapless against southpaws, with a career .576 OPS when facing portside slingers. Despite his struggles at the dish, his ability to capably defend at multiple positions has made him a valuable player for Aaron Boone and the Yankees.
To the distress of everyone, Waldo suffered a gruesome injury on May 12th that ended his season. He and the Yankees recently received good news, however. Earlier this week, Boone announced Cabrera could see game action as soon as the end of the first week of March. That would be one heck of a late birthday gift for a young man who seems to be genuinely liked by the entire organization. Happy birthday Waldo, and with any luck, we’ll see you back on the field and at the plate in a few days.
References
Badler, Ben. “International Reviews: New York Yankees.” Baseball America. March 28, 2016.
“INF Oswaldo Cabrera Named Double-A Northeast MVP.” MiLB. October 6, 2021.
Joyce, Greg. “Red-hot Oswaldo Cabrera joining Estevan Florial as call-up to reeling Yankees.” New York Post. August 17, 2022.
McDaniel, Kiley. “Top 27 Prospects: New York Yankees.” FanGraphs. March 26, 2018.
Miller, Randy. “Yankees injuries: Latest on Cam Schlittler, Anthony Volpe, Oswaldo Cabrera.” NJ.com. February 25, 2026.
