It has been a roller coaster offseason at the hot corner in Milwaukee. It was a big question at the beginning of last season, too, but Caleb Durbin quickly snagged the job once given an opportunity and put up a very nice rookie season in which he was about a league-average hitter, stole 18 bases, and played better-than-expected defense on his way to a third-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting.

Well, things change quickly sometimes in Milwaukee. Sensing an opportunity, the Brewers shipped Durbin (along with Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler, who were the primary backups to all three of the Brewers’ non-first-base infield positions last season) to the Boston Red Sox for a pair of starting pitchers, Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, and utility infielder David Hamilton. The Milwaukee front office perhaps also felt a bit squeamish about some of Durbin’s underlying metrics — there are some definite parallels between Durbin’s 2025 season and Joey Ortiz’s 2024 season, and of course, we know what happened to Ortiz in his second year.

While the Hamilton part of the return from Boston surely answered some of the question of “who is going to play third base now that we traded our entire 2025 depth chart in one deal,” it did not answer them all. That led to a week of wild speculation: was Jett Williams going to start the season at third? Could we be shocked by an aggressive promotion of someone else, like Brock Wilken or Cooper Pratt?

Well, no. The Brewers signed a real, actual major league third baseman exactly one week after trading Durbin, and he tops the depth chart, even if he comes with some questions.

Luis Rengifo

Rengifo comes to the Brewers after seven seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. Returns from Rengifo have been mixed, but he had three straight seasons from 2022-24 where he was an above-average offensive player, and he’s got two major league seasons on his record of more than 15 homers.

Those seasons are fading into the rearview mirror at this point, though: he last hit double-digit homers in 2023. While Rengifo is still in what we’d consider his “prime” based on his age, he struggled badly at the plate in 2025 after missing half of the 2024 season. I went pretty deep in the wake of the trade to try to figure out whether Rengifo’s bad 2025 was the new normal or whether we should expect him to return to the offensive levels of earlier in his career. (The conclusion there: if he can get his launch angle back up — it was around 9-10 degrees in 2022 & 2023 and around 6-7 degrees in 2024 & 2025 — then the homers might return, but we shouldn’t expect him to hit .300 like he did in 2024, a fluky BABIP year.)

Defense is a question with Rengifo, too. The advanced metrics, which should always be taken with a grain of salt, are all over the place. He’s played more second base than third in his career, and has sometimes graded out as a good defensive player and sometimes as a bad one.

The mathematician in me says that we should expect Rengifo to be about a league-average player on both sides of the ball (but please keep in mind that I haven’t had a math class since 2006). The Brewers can handle that. Rengifo is on a one-year deal, he’s not making a ton of money, and there are exciting reinforcements coming from the minor league system, maybe even this year. Rengifo should be able to handle things until the next generation is ready.

David Hamilton

Here I am talking about David Hamilton, third baseman. Guess how many times Hamilton has played third base in a regular-season game as a professional?

If you said “one,” then yes, you are correct, even if one is generous: he played third base for 1 1/3 innings of a game last season. That’s it. Never once in the minor leagues, nor in college, nor in the Arizona Fall League, nor in summer ball in the Cape Cod League.

Hamilton is likely to replace Monasterio as Milwaukee’s true utility infielder this season — in Hamilton’s two-plus seasons, he’s appeared almost equally at second base and shortstop. The Brewers are pretty set at those two positions, barring a continuing collapse of Ortiz’s offense; if they feel comfortable keeping Ortiz’s bat in the lineup regularly, then Hamilton’s opportunities are going to come most often at third. Hamilton is quite a good defensive middle infielder, so there is no reason to think that he won’t take to third, where he has been playing almost exclusively this spring (six of his seven starts have been at third base).

There aren’t a ton of reasons for optimism in Hamilton’s offensive game — he was almost a league-average offensive player in 2024, but he was bad in 2025, and the biggest difference between those seasons was not in anything you’d see on Statcast but in BABIP (.316 in 2024, .234 in 2025). Hamilton is pretty good at not chasing bad pitches, something the Brewers surely liked about him, and there’s a little bit more power in there than you might expect (he has 14 home runs in 511 plate appearances across the last two seasons).

The other thing the Brewers can (and will) do to help Hamilton is to essentially never let him face a left-handed pitcher: for his career, Hamilton is a .200/.233/.257 hitter against lefties and .226/.291/.376 against righties. Rengifo, a switch-hitter, has a career OPS that is 84 points higher against left-handed pitching, so a soft platoon is certainly in play (though it should be noted that Rengifo’s .665 career OPS against right-handed pitching is essentially the same as Hamilton’s career .667 OPS against righties). Regardless of how much platooning happens at third, Hamilton will never start against lefties.

Hamilton should function well as an occasional starter against right-handed pitching at third while backing up both Ortiz and Brice Turang in the middle of the infield. If he has to do more than that, the Brewers will likely be asking too much of him.

Who else?

I mentioned earlier the people who were being speculated about as being in the mix after the Brewers traded Durbin: Jett Williams’ future probably lies in the outfield, but he’s certainly capable of playing in the infield somewhere, and he is the furthest along of any of the Brewers’ big infield prospects. I went more in-depth on Williams in our second base preview, but I expect he’ll play somewhere (or, maybe, everywhere) in Milwaukee before the 2026 season ends.

I also mentioned Eddys Leonard in the second base preview. He’s played more at second in his career, but he’s appeared often at third as well. We’ll see if Leonard is even still in the organization when the season starts — there probably isn’t a place for him on the Brewers’ major league roster, and he’s an accomplished enough minor leaguer that he might be someone who can get a better opportunity elsewhere.

As far as prospects, Dave also looked atBrock Wilken as a long shot to get the job after Durbin was traded and before Rengifo was signed. Wilken has never played above Double-A, and while he’s probably okay as a defensive player, he’s not going to be nearly as good as Hamilton and likely not as good as Rengifo. Wilken has shown real power and patience in the minors, but he likely needs more seasoning.

Long term, the most likely answer here is that one of the Brewers’ big shortstop prospects ends up at third base. Who will that be? The consensus at this point seems to be that between Cooper Pratt, Jesús Made, and Luis Peña, Pratt is the best defensive player (though some think Made could get there). And while we’ve gotten used to the rocketship trajectory of Made and Jackson Chourio the last couple years, Peña is very young, and while he has shown some advanced offensive skills, if you say he won’t make the majors until he’s 22 — still young! — that still pushes him back to 2029. That puts this question off for a while, at least for him.

Maybe the 2027 Brewers have some sort of Turang-Pratt-Made alignment. Maybe Ortiz is still in the picture. Maybe Pratt gets traded. This will work itself out, but I don’t think we need to give a whole lot of thought to Pratt or Made as it relates to the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers season.

Conclusion

Expect to see Rengifo most often, with Hamilton starting a couple of times a week against right-handed pitching. I’m hopeful that Rengifo’s production will bounce back to about league average. Hamilton will likely not get there, but he can run into them occasionally, and he’ll be a good, reliable defensive player.

If Rengifo continues to struggle as he did in 2025, especially if he’s not playing high-level defense, Milwaukee will start looking to their minor league system for alternatives, but I think we’d need to get close to two full bad months from him before that happens. Hopefully, though, his bad BABIP luck from last season turns around and he starts hitting fly balls again, giving the Brewers a credible power threat in the lower part of their batting order.

It’s kind of unfortunate for Yairo Padilla that he came up at the same time as Rainiel Rodriguez. Some sites had him as the better prospect entering 2025. And then, well, 2025 happened. I think the perception of Padilla was certainly negatively affected by Rodriguez’s rise, even though that doesn’t really make sense, just because they were bunched together and then they very much weren’t. Now, I don’t know that Padilla will rank radically different for me, but he also wasn’t on my top 20 last year, so I don’t feel like I’ve downgraded him after a pretty positive year. Here’s the list:

1. JJ Wetherholt
2. Liam Doyle
3. Rainiel Rodriguez
4. Quinn Mathews
5. Jurrangelo Cjintje
6. Joshua Baez
7. Leonardo Bernal
8. Jimmy Crooks
9. Brandon Clarke
10. Tink Hence
11. Tekoah Roby
12. Tanner Franklin
13. Brycen Mautz
14. Nathan Church
15. Cooper Hjerpe
16. Ixan Henderson
17. Yairo Padilla

Comparable Player Poll

I think this is going to be the last comparable player poll. I already know the next two players I will add. Or I should say, I know two of the three people I will be adding to the vote. Obviously, one of them is this vote, so I certainly would hope I know who I’m adding right now. The third is between the two people below you. I haven’t decided if the winner of this vote is going on the next vote or the last vote. Both of these players have won comparable player polls and short of removing a player from the voting, which I might honestly still do, I’d kind of be guessing which one to add, which I’d prefer not to do.

Blake Aita was a 6th round draft pick in the same draft as Dutkanych, but not by the Cardinals. Drafted by the Red Sox, his command-oriented approach led him to play about half the season in Low A and half in High A. He posted average K rates, but didn’t walk many. He pitched well enough to earn a trip to AA, but I suspect the depth of the pitching will see him in High A to begin the year. He’ll be 23.

Andrew Dutkanych is someone you guys are very familiar with if you’ve been voting on every poll. He’s already been in two of these and won both of them. He was a 7th round draft pick, drafted with the full knowledge that he had recently undergone Tommy John surgery and thus was not going to be able to pitch much last year. He pitch in both rookie league and Low A, basically a glorified reliever, but missed some bats and some of the strike zone. He will be 22 and probably repeating Low A.

VOTE HERE

New Add

I always try to add a relief prospect by the 18th vote, and I do that because we’ve actually had a relief prospect be the 18th prospect in the system twice. If I add any doubt whatsoever about adding a relief prospect, it was removed when Luis Gastelum completely dominated the vote. Like he received 123 votes and the next highest total was 12. He should be in the voting for sure.

Jesus Baez, IF – 21

Stats (High A): 416 PAs, .244/.327/.397, 10.3 BB%, 18.5 K%, .153 ISO, .270 BABIP, 116 wRC+, 121 DRC+

Scouting (FG): 30/45 Hit, 35/50 Game Power, 50/55 Raw Power, 40/40 Speed, 40/45 Fielding

There’s always one guy who I add to the voting too early. There’s a high upside, but high variance prospect who I’m not totally sure how this crowd feels about, and I add them as early as possible just so that I don’t add them too late. Well Baez has been on the vote since the 6th vote and I have long since run out of things to say about Baez. You get the picture. Jesus Baez personally ran Keith Law’s mother over with a car, he has a rep for chasing, and yet statistically, nothing looks bad from my eyes.

Yhoiker Fajardo, RHP – 19

Stats (CPX): 6 G, 20.2 IP, 31.6 K%, 9.2 BB%, 51.2 GB%, .205 BABIP, 0.44 ERA/2.41 FIP/3.29 xFIP

Low A: 13 GS, 51.1 IP, 27.8 K%, 9.4 BB%, 50 GB%, .326 BABIP, 2.98 ERA/2.50 FIP/3.14 xFIP

Scouting: 40/45 Fastball, 55/60 Slider, 30/50 Change, 35/50 Command

It is kind of crazy to be this late in the game and have guys like Baez and Fajardo still be in the voting and it not be some gross misjustice. Like just think about the fact that there is a 19-year-old who pitched very well in both rookie league and Low A and you can still vote for this guy at 18 or 19 or 20 and I just think this guy is already on the list in the other three years I’ve done this. I don’t think this group was even that high on Padilla, but by 15 last year, the other options were just not that exciting. We still have kind of exciting options at 18!

Luis Gastelum, 24 – RHP

Stats (AA): 46 G, 62.2 IP, 35.4 K%, 6.5 BB%, 48.3 GB%, .343 BABIP, 4.02 ERA/2.19 FIP/2.31 xFIP

Scouting: 45/45 Fastball, 40/40 Slider, 65/65 Change, 50/55 Command

Yes, Gastelum is posting those numbers with effectively one pitch. I mean yeah you can see he has other pitches, but the changeup is how he strikes out over a third of batters he faces. As one can imagine, when you imagine someone throwing a changeup in your mind, it’s not going to look like Gastelum’s change. It looks more like what you expect a breaking ball to do. That is in fact what Mets’ announcer Gary Cohen called it in a recent spring training game.

Pete Hansen, LHP – 25

Stats (AA): 26 GS, 137.1 IP, 21.1 K%, 6.3 BB%, 46.2 GB%, .306 BABIP, 3.93 ERA/3.65 FIP/3.71 xFIP

Scouting: 35/35 Fastball, 45/50 Slider, 40/40 Curve, 50/55 Change, 55/60 Command

What I find particularly fascinating about Hansen’s scouting report is that one would think Fangraphs was low on him, but they aren’t. They definitely aren’t. They ranked him 10th in the system last season. But that 35 fastball grade kind of pops out at you. It’s the kind of grade you give to a prospect that you aren’t typically high on, so I suppose it provides an insight into what FG thinks of the importance of command. You don’t usually see 60 command prospects.

Blaze Jordan, 23 – 1B/3B

Stats (AA): 176 PAs, .320/.415/.513, 12.5 BB%, 10.8 K%, .193 ISO, .333 BABIP, 167 wRC+, 145 DRC+

AAA: 368 PAs, .248/.291/.423, 5.7 BB%, 11.1 K%, .175 ISO, .247 BABIP, 83 wRC+, 101 DRC+

Scouting: 40/50 Hit, 40/50 Game Power, 60/60 Raw Power, 30/30 Speed, 40/45 Fielding

The problems that Blaze Jordan needs to overcome in order to be a productive hitter strike me as very similar to the problems that Alec Burleson once had. Burleson flew through the minors, had a better hit tool, and had the platoon advantage in the majority of his plate appearances, but broadly speaking – guy who doesn’t strike out much needs to be more selective with his swing choices – that describes Blaze Jordan too.

Colton Ledbetter, 24 – OF

Stats (AA): 535 PAs, .265/.337/.378, 9.5 BB%, 23.9 K%, .114 ISO, .339 BABIP, 112 wRC+

Scouting: 30/35 Hit, 40/50 Game Power, 55/55 Raw Power, 50/40 Speed, 50/50 Fielding

Story is pretty clear cut on Ledbetter. He previously had a bit of a strikeout problem, but with the strikeouts came a lot of power. At AA last season, Ledbetter managed to get his strikeouts to a more reasonable level, but it did come with significantly less power. His goal I assume will be to merge the power with a more reasonable strikeout rate.

Chen-Wei Lin, 24 – RHP

Stats (Low A): 12 GS, 38.2 IP, 27.2 K%, 17.2 BB%, 50 GB%, .283 BABIP, 4.89 ERA/3.69 FIP/4.17 xFIP

High A: 4 GS, 9.2 IP, 41.7 K%, 18.8 BB%, 50 GB%, .412 BABIP, 9.31 ERA/4.80 FIP/2.76 xFIP

Scouting: 60/70 Fastball, 40/45 Slider, 40/60 Change, 30/40 Command

The scouting is definitely reflective of a relief prospect, but by no means are the Cardinals giving up on him starting. Mostly because you can actually start if you have a 70 fastball and a 60 change, that is a lethal combo. As you can also see by the scouting, he’s not there yet with either pitch. The slider isn’t great, but just having a third option to go to with two elite pitches can still work as a starter. He’ll need better command of course.

Ryan Mitchell, 19 – OF

No stats

Scouting: 25/55 Hit, 25/50 Game Power, 40/55 Raw Power, 60/60 Speed, 25/50 Fielding

No one carrying tool for Mitchell, but just an overall well-rounded profile, which also happens to be kind of a boring scouting profile. You can dream on a better power tool even if it came with a worse hit tool, but everything being average or above average all adds up to a potentially great player, just not real eye-popping in the way ranking prospects tends to reward.

Deniel Ortiz, 21 – 1B/3B

Stats (Low A): 320 PAs, .285/.406/.446, 15.3 BB%, 27.5 K%, .162 ISO, .386 BABIP, 145 wRC+, 119 DRC+

High A: 130 PAs, .336/.438/.500, 13.8 BB%, 22.3 K%, .164 ISO, .436 BABIP, 168 wRC+, 97 DRC+

Scouting (Baseball Savant): /45 Hit, /55 Power, /55 Arm, /45 Field

I will once again mention that those scouting grades are his potential, but that Savant has not posted the “current” scouting grades. Although if you think about it, the current is not super relevant for a guy in High A. You can kind of draw your own conclusions based on the stats to some extent. Also you don’t necessarily care if they don’t have trouble with swing-and-miss at the lower levels, you want to know if he will have trouble. Ortiz cutting down his K rate upon promotion strikes me as a fairly good sign.

Tai Peete, OF – 20

Stats (High A): 529 PAs, .217/.288/.404, 8.7 BB%, 30.6 K%, .187 ISO, .282 BABIP, 79 wRC+, 79 DRC+

Scouting: 20/30 Hit, 30/50 Game Power, 50/60 Raw Power, 60/60 Speed, 45/55 Fielding

One thing I’ll note about scouting grades, and this is super relevant to Peete I think, is that the potential isn’t necessarily static. That does not mean his 30 grade potential hit tool is always going to be a 30 grade. From where the hit tool stands now, the scout can’t see better than a 30 in his future. But Peete can make improvements and changes. Joshua Baez probably had a 30 hit tool as his potential before last season. But he changed and made improvements.

VOTE HERE

Jaylon Thompson reviews Seth Lugo’s outing in the World Baseball Classic.

Lugo looked sharp in the early going. He recorded two strikeouts in the first inning while displaying his extensive pitching arsenal. There was an emphasis to utilize his slurve and four-seam fastball.

Both pitches were effective. Lugo registered six swings and five called strikes with his slurve. Meanwhile, the fastball averaged 92.7 mph, an uptick from earlier in spring training.

At times, Lugo touched 95 mph while navigating the Colombia lineup.

Lugo entered this offseason looking to pitch with more velocity. He was able to command the strike zone with his fastball early in counts on Friday. As a result, he finished his outing with a combined 28% whiff rate on his pitches.

The Royals also made the first wave of reassignments, sending catchers Blake Mitchell and Ramon Ramirez, outfielder Carson Roccaforte, and pitchers Ben Kudrna, Chazz Martinez, and Steven Zobac to minor league camp.

Perla Paredes at MLB.com writes that younger players are amazed by Salvador Perez’s work ethic.

“He’s an amazing leader,” Jensen said of Perez. “[I’ve learned] how to prepare myself every day and the work ethic. To play as long as he’s played and continue to be playing, it takes preparation, it takes taking care of your body.”

While the young catchers are learning Perez’s preparation from the plate, the Royals’ pitchers see his influence from the mound. For left-hander Matt Strahm, Perez is a great target, and his presence immediately threatens the running game.

“It’s been my favorite. I’ve thrown to some great catchers … but the target Salvy gives you is just massive, and none of them can replicate that,” said Strahm, Perez’s locker neighbor.

And that Mitch Spence is showing increased velocity.

For Royals manager Matt Quatraro, the difference was immediately noticeable.

“He’s thrown three to four miles an hour harder. That’s a huge jump,” Quatraro said. “And that gives hitters a lot less time to react.”

Spence said the increase in velocity is the result of offseason work focused on refining his mechanics and strengthening his arm.

“The biggest thing this offseason was just cleaning up some stuff with my mechanics,” Spence said. “I started going to physical therapy and just kind of got my arm stronger from the workout program. I think it just kind of clicked.”

She also writes that shortstop Daniel Vazquez is progressing in his development.

Vazquez said he is focusing less on results and more on the daily process that could shape the next step in his development. That includes physical conditioning, discipline and mental preparation — the same elements that fueled his surge last season.

“I’ve taken a lot from that,” Vazquez said. “Always respect the game, always play hard. And everything is about winning.”

Preston Farr looks at whiff rates in spring training for Royals pitchers.

How 2024 draftees, including Jac Caglianone, could impact this season.

Vinnie Pasquantino is keeping the espressos flowing for Team Italy.

The sons of Jose Contreras and Manny Ramirez impressed scouts in the WBC.

The Nationals sign pitcher Zack Littell to a one-year deal.

The Astros sign catcher Christian Vazquez to a minor league deal.

Kansas City native Joey Wentz injures his leg covering first base.

The Braves could target Ryan Mountcastle to replace Jurickson Profar.

Andrew Abbott will start on Opening Day for the Reds.

Logan Allen wins a national anthem standoff against Logan Allen.

Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta is looking for a seven- or eight-year deal.

Baseball teams are increasingly focusing on the mental side of the game.

The Tigers never made Tarik Skubal a long-term offer this offseason.

Ernest Hemingway was a big baseball fan.

Travis Kelce hits free agency today.

More people are watching the NHL in the weeks after the Olympics.

A report indicates that contractors with Meta are able to see intimate moments of users of AI glasses.

Climate change could lead to more turbulence on airplanes.

The future of horror movies is on YouTube.

Your song of the day is George Michael with Faith.

Join Tom McCarthy, Ben Davis and Jim Salisbury for Spring Training Live Q&A! originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The countdown to Opening Day is on and NBC Sports Philadelphia is gearing up for the regular season with a Phillies Spring Training Live Q&A!

Join Tom McCarthy, Ben Davis and Jim Salisbury following Sunday’s Phillies-Braves game at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. Get your questions ready and head over to Frenchy’s Tiki Bar as soon as the game ends.

Can’t make it down to the event? Don’t worry.

You can also tune in and ask your questions virtually.

So, circle that calendar, set your alarm and we’ll see you Mar. 15 in person (and online) to get ready for the season.

Welcome to the Morning Commute

Today we’re yet again talking about how Mizzou Baseball doesn’t seem to be able to not win at this point in time.

After some early struggles in their weekend series against UIC, the Tigers figured things out on the mound and in the box, run-ruling UIC during the final two games of the series and rolling to their 11th and 12th consecutive wins in style.

Across the last three games, Mizzou has scored 29 unanswered runs and held opponents scoreless for 22 straight innings.

Lefty Brady Kehlenbrink enjoyed a career day on the hill, working six scoreless innings while only allowing three Flames to reach base. The Ballwin, Mo., native punched out a career-high 11 batters while improving to 3-0 on the season (4.29 ERA).

Look, no one is pretending the Tigers are out here downing the 2025 LA Dodgers, but they’re winning games (and lots of them) which is something they haven’t been able to do under Kerrick Jackson much during his time in Columbia. Winning is habitual, and the best thing Missouri can do right now is teach themselves how to win before the more intense competition heats up.

Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+

• In which Mizzou doesn’t have quite enough to flip the home tilt with Arkansas:

Mizzou’s margins have been thinner than we want all season, but the butter is made. There’s nothing left to churn. They are who they are. The improvement they can make will come in April and May, not now. Now you’re just hoping to extend what you have as long as you can.

At least the Tigers have seemingly done enough to secure a spot in the Tournament, regardless of what they’ll do in the SEC Tournament… though an extra win or two would be nice!

• In which Mizzou Baseball’s long weekend ends withvictory after victory after victory after victory:

Mizzou Baseball didn’t just finish a sweep on Sunday. It finished a statement. Behind six scoreless innings from left‑hander Brady Kehlenbrink and a four‑homer afternoon from the lineup, Missouri rolled past UIC 10–0 in seven innings at Taylor Stadium, closing out a four‑game sweep and extending its winning streak to 12 games.

Mizzou is off to easily it’s best start under Kerrick Jackson, and they’ll look to keep the momentum rolling in the mid-week against Southern Indiana.

• In which Mizzou Softball’s struggles continue:

The poetry was the final hit that allowed star outfielder Taylor Shumaker to reach home plate for the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th. The game-winning hit came from Mizzou’s home run leader from just a year ago: Madison Walker.

That’s the kind of thing that hurts a lot worse when you look at Mizzou’s lineup and think, “God, we could’ve used her this season.”

• Over at Rock M+, Watkins is keeping a close eye on the bubble to see if Mizzou should feel worried, it’s Champ Week, and we’ll keep posting spring football camp notes as we’re able to get our team to media availabilities.

(** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)

PORT ST. LUCIE — The Jasson Domínguez left field experiment has had decidedly mixed results, which is among the reasons he’s likely headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the season. 

But there has been some growth, as he displayed Sunday in a 10-4 loss to the Mets at Clover Park. 

For a second straight game, Domínguez made a nice running catch, this time on a sinking liner by A.J. Ewing in the bottom of the fifth, and Domínguez followed it up with a strong throw home, where he threw out Vidal Bruján. 

“It was a busy afternoon out there,” said Domínguez, who also had a ball hit by Tyrone Taylor get by him in the gap, but neither he nor Aaron Boone thought he could have gotten to it. “It was good to throw the guy out at home.” 

It came after Boone said Domínguez, who has struggled for the most part since shifting from center to left, made some poor decisions with his throws last week. 

“He’s made excellent throws the last two days,” the manager said of the plays he made Sunday against the Mets and Saturday versus Miami. “He’s playing a lot. He’s worked a lot. One of the best parts about this trip [to the east coast of Florida, with most regulars staying back or in the World Baseball Classic] is that we saw his athleticism.” 

When he was coming through the Yankees system, Domínguez was said to have an elite arm, but that has not been on display much. 

“I’ve always had a pretty good arm, it just hasn’t shown as much,’’ Domínguez said. “My arm wasn’t the problem. Maybe I’m more aggressive now getting to the ball and am in better position to make throws. Compared to last year, I’m a lot more comfortable [in left].” 

Boone said the team hasn’t “even really begun discussions” on the final roster spots. 

“We’ll continue to let that play out and let guys get their reps,” the manager said Sunday. 

They’ve got decisions to make regarding the last arms in the bullpen, as well as deciding between perhaps a backup shortstop or third catcher. 

Ben Rice hasn’t caught in a game, but Boone noted that he caught Carlos Rodón’s bullpen session Saturday. 

With Anthony Volpe sidelined and José Caballero expected to start at shortstop, Boone said the backup shortstop situation is “up in the air.” 

Boone didn’t rule out Ryan McMahon playing there in the future or going with a “super-utility” player for the final roster spot. 

And with Randal Grichuk expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday in Tampa, the Yankees will get a better read on what the veteran outfielder can potentially contribute after signing with the team on a minor league deal. 

“That’s what the next two-plus weeks will be about,” Boone said of the decision-making process. 

One standout during a live batting practice at Steinbrenner Field: Ocean Gabonia.

The righty reliever from Hawaii completed two “ups,” allowed no hard contact and struck out Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger consecutively.

The 24-year-old, who pitched to a 3.27 ERA in 31 games with High-A Hudson Valley last year, received fist bumps from Stanton and Bellinger walking off the field. 

Cade Winquest gave up a run on a walk and a hit as he tries to make the team as a Rule 5 pick. 

“There’s definitely some pressure,” said the right-hander, who will be sent back to the Cardinals if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster and stay there the entire season. “They drafted me for a reason and I can just do what I do.” 

He allowed a run on a walk and a hit in two-thirds of an inning Sunday. 

— Additional reporting by Mark W. Sanchez in Tampa 

PORT ST. LUCIE — The idea of Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing together in the same outfield is an intriguing proposition to Mets officials. 

On Sunday, for the second time in three days, the team got that look.

Benge started in center field with Ewing in left against the Yankees.

Both contributed to the Mets’ 10-4 exhibition victory at Clover Park. 

Benge, a top prospect competing for the starting right field job, finished 2-for-3.

Ewing, who also rates among the organization’s top prospects, delivered a two-run single against lefty Ryan Weathers. 

“They have the ability to impact the game in so many different ways,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It wasn’t an easy matchup there with left-on-left with Weathers and the way he was throwing the ball. A couple of two-strike approaches when they put the ball in play and just make things happen. The way they run the bases, the way they play defense, it’s just good baseball from them so far.” 

Benge started in center just to receive a taste of the position in camp, according to Mendoza, with Luis Robert Jr. scheduled for his first Grapefruit League game in a Mets uniform on Thursday. 

“I felt like I was on time with everything,” Benge said of his plate appearances against Weathers. “I saw him well, he had really good stuff, but I felt like I stuck to my plan and did my job.” 

Robert Stock will undergo surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.

The right-hander, who had discomfort after pitching three scoreless innings for Team Israel against the Marlins in a WBC scrimmage, said he could be back pitching before the season concludes. 

Brandon Waddell was scratched from his scheduled Monday start because of shoulder fatigue, according to Mendoza, and will now pitch later in the week.

Zach Thornton will be summoned from minor league camp to start against the Marlins at Clover Park. 

Mendoza is keeping tabs on his WBC pitchers from afar.

A day after Clay Holmes pitched three scoreless innings for Team USA against Great Britain, the Mets manager watched video of Holmes’ outing. 

“He was pretty dominant,” Mendoza said.

New York Post | Mark W. Sanchez: As he recovers from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum, shortstop Anthony Volpe addressed reporters this week. At the moment, the former top prospect, who may have suffered the injury last May, has progressed in his rehab from simply fielding grounders to diving, has yet to face live pitching, and has no current timeline for his return to game action. When he does, he will face competition for the starting job for the first time since he won the position battle with fellow prospect Oswald Peraza in 2023, as the Yankees — not to mention their fans — are high on José Caballero.

SNY | John Flanigan: Ever since watching the 2017 World Baseball Classic ahead of his rookie season, Aaron Judge has been eager to join Team USA for the international tournament. When asked about the experience, this year’s Captain America stressed the “lack of egos” in the group, noting that the roster is filled out with ace pitchers, closers, and star hitters willing to play supplemental roles. So far, this collection of All-Stars have worked out, as Team USA won their first two games and are currently all-but-guaranteed to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.

MLB.com: We’re still a few weeks out from Opening Day, but that doesn’t mean it’s not time to think about the Opening Day lineups are going to look like. As is usual, the MLB.com projections are fairly cookie cutter — the Yankees’ projected lineup and rotation have absolutely no surprises — but the collection of all 30 teams in one place does provide a nice way to get up to speed on news throughout the league all in one spot.

On Sunday, the Braves lost to the Rays 9-8 in a game that was no too enjoyable if you like good pitching. Bryce Elder was rocked from the start, while Joey Wentz left the game due to a knee injury (early indications are it is not serious.)

Overall, the Braves have got good production from their pitching this Spring, including Wentz and Elder. However, today was an all too familiar sight. The need for the Braves to add to the rotation remains clear as day, And with the additional money in place after Jurickson Profar’s suspension, the lack of urgency to strengthen the staff as the season draws closer is odd. Hopefully, at some point this week, common sense will prevail and a move will be made to strengthen the staff.

Braves News

Mauricio Dubon was elated to talk with Chipper Jones and responded with some great production at the plate.

A lot of fun moments in the WBC this weekend.

MLB News

Zach Littell signed a one year deal with the Nationals.

TAMPA — Arguably the greatest strength of the Yankees this decade is their bullpen, which is consistently excellent in part because of the organization’s talent in identifying and maximizing talented arms who had failed elsewhere. They found Clay Holmes and Lucas Luetge in 2021, Ian Hamilton and Luke Weaver in ’23 and Tim Hill and Jake Cousins in ’24. 

The discoveries largely halted last season, which helps explain why their bullpen was the 21st most valuable, according to FanGraphs, and not good enough in the postseason. 

For the Yankees’ relief corps to bounce back this year, they would love to stumble across a difference-maker.

Perhaps that will be Dylan Coleman. 

Coleman is a 29-year-old in camp as a non-roster invitee who has a big arm that can touch 100 mph and has been a quality major league reliever: In his first two seasons, 2021-22, the 6-foot-5 righty pitched to a 2.66 ERA in 74 ¹/₃ innings with the Royals. 

But he had a poor 2023 campaign then was traded to the Astros for the 2024 season, struggled at Triple-A and was released in August.

He popped up with the Orioles last season, was ineffective in 11 minor league games and was cut in May. 

The turning point, Coleman believes, occurred next.

He stepped away from organized baseball and spent a few weeks with Mason Feole, who runs a pitching instruction company in Rhode Island.

In his last outing in the Baltimore organization, Coleman said he was throwing 93-94 mph and touching 95 mph. 

“Went up there [to Rhode Island] after I got released,” Coleman said. “Five days later, I was like 99, 100 or so.” 

The couple of weeks were encouraging enough for Coleman to then spend a couple of months training with Feole over the offseason, making small tweaks to feel and look like the pitcher he wanted to be. 

They worked on small mechanical things that added up to big things: getting Coleman’s arm and body in sync, releasing the ball with ideal timing, and cleaning up the direction of his delivery—ensuring he moves straight to the plate rather than falling toward the left, a habit he had to kick. 

“When my direction is good,” Coleman said, “the throw takes care of itself.” 

He also added a sinker that he hopes can record quick outs to a repertoire that already included a hard four-seamer plus a sweeper and cutter.

The Yankees found him and took a flier on an impressive arm with a respectable résumé and one who can be optioned to the minor leagues. 

In a pair of Grapefruit League games, Coleman has pitched two scoreless innings while allowing three hits and a walk and striking out two.

More importantly, Coleman is happy with how he feels, believes his mechanics are sound and is seeing the velocity begin to tick up. 

“I’m in a way better spot than I’ve been in a while,” Coleman said after throwing a live batting practice at Steinbrenner Field on Sunday.

Following a rough day yesterday, the Athletics flipped the script today, winning both games of the spring training split-squad double-header to end the weekend on a positive note. The A’s in Arizona came back from a seven-run deficit to defeat the Las Angeles Dodgers 11-7, while the other half of the team beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-4, splitting the two-game preseason series in Las Vegas.

A’s vs Dodgers

Making his first start of the spring, A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez did not have his best performance, yet that was expected as he is getting back into the groove and likely had to shake off some rust. Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages hit a two-out solo home run off Lopez in the first inning and then Lopez allowed Nick Senzel and Ryan Ward to hit back-t0-back RBI doubles the next inning.

In the fourth inning, the Dodgers added to their lead, scoring three more runs off of A’s pitchers Matt Krook and Kenya Huggins. Up 7-0, it seemed like the Dodgers would coast to another Cactus League victory. However, the A’s top prospect, 19-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries, said not so fast. The best prospect the A’s acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Mason Miller trade singlehandedly willed the A’s comeback against the defending champions, with the caveat that it came against Dodgers minor league pitchers.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, De Vries hit his first homer in an A’s uniform, a two-run blast to right field. An inning later, he came up again, this time with the bases loaded and two outs. De Vries made more noise, hitting a grand slam over the right field fence to trim the A’s deficit to one.

It is hard to believe that the Padres traded this rising star for a reliever. That leaves them without a successor should their starting shortstop 33-year-old Xander Bogaerts start declining as he ages.

De Vries got the A’s back in the game and then his teammates picked up the slack to take the lead and secure the victory. Third baseman Andy Ibàñez’s RBI double tied the game in the sixth inning and then the A’s put up a four-spot in the eighth inning to take their first lead of the game. Minor league outfielder Clark Elliot’s single scored the go-ahead run and then Colby Thomas capped off the scoring with a two-run double. Ibàñez had another run-scoring hit in that inning, finishing the game an impressive 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI.

Meanwhile, A’s pitching prospects Zane Taylor and Steven Echavarria shut down the Dodgers for the game’s final three innings. With all the attention on the lefties Gage Jump and Jamie Arnold, do not sleep on these two right-handers as they also have the talent to make waves in the A’s minor leagues this season.

A’s vs Angels

Taking the mound for the second time in an A’s uniform, offseason acquisition Aaron Civale put forth a solid performance. He accumulated four strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings pitched. Civale’s lone blemish was Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe’s two-run home run in the fourth inning. O’Hoppe’s home run gave the Angels the lead, erasing the A’s 1-0 advantage which came courtesy of third base prospect Tommy White’s second home run of the spring in the second inning.

Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz pitched well, only allowing White’s home run in his four inning outing. Once the Angels ended his day, the A’s took advantage, tying and then taking the lead against Angels relievers. The A’s tied the game in the fifth thanks to doubles by Henry Bolte and fellow prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. Bolte, who finished the game with four hits in four at-bats, came up with another big hit later in the game. His two-run home run in the seventh inning gave the hosts a lead that they would not relinquish.

White added his third hit and second home run of the game an inning later to give the A’s a three-run cushion going into the ninth inning.

Relievers Wander Suero and Nick Hernandez protected the A’s late lead in this game, only allowing one run over the final three innings. While they are likely to start in Triple-A, it would not be surprising to see at least one of them with the MLB club this season, especially given the relative dearth of experienced bullpen arms on the A’s roster.

The fact that the A’s won two games today despite getting limited contributions from their core offensive starters bodes well, even if these are just meaningless spring training games. Tomorrow, the team coalesces back into one unit as they travel to Goodyear, AZ to take on the Cincinnati Reds. It will be a matchup of promising young right-handed pitchers with Jack Perkins to start for the A’s and Rhett Lowder for the Reds. Can the A’s make it three in a row or will their week get off to a losing start? Tune in tomorrow to find out.

Observations from Yankees spring training on Sunday:

Third Time’s the Charm

George Lombard Jr., already considered good enough defensively at shortstop to play in the majors, showed off his versatility by playing third base in a 10-4 loss to the Mets at Clover Park. He also tripled as he tries to show he can hit well enough to get to The Bronx.

You Can’t Go Home Again

Ex-Mets prospect Dom Hamel, in Yankees camp as a non-roster invitee after finally breaking through to the majors last year with the Mets, allowed three runs — two earned — and made a throwing error in 2 ²/₃ innings in a disappointing return to Port St. Lucie.

Caught My Eye

Spencer Jones is known mostly for his power, but scouts also praise his speed, and he stole another base Sunday, his third of the spring.

Monday’s Schedule

Max Fried will take the mound for his spring training debut when the Yankees return to Steinbrenner Field to face the Pirates.

Carson Benge -- No. 2 in Joe DeMayo's ranking of the Mets' top 30 prospects for the 2026 season -- impressed during Sunday's 10-4 spring training win over the Yankees.

"It's exciting," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of the young players, including Benge's 2-for-3 afternoon at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Fla. "Again, I've been saying it for a few days now that their ability to impact the game in so many different ways. There wasn't an easy matchup there, left on left, with (Ryan) Weathers with the way he was throwing the ball. A couple two-strike-approach (hits) there where they're putting the ball in play and just make things happen. The way they run the bases, how they play defense. It's just good baseball from them so far."

Starting in center field and batting sixth, Benge had a pair of singles -- the first a second-inning knock that scored Francisco Alvarez and put the Mets on the board, 2-1 -- and made the most of his latest opportunity.

"For me, I don't really care -- if you throw it in the zone, I'm going to try to hit it, try my best to hit it," Benge said. "So, it doesn't really matter who's throwing -- I just look at it that way."

Through seven games this spring, the 23-year-old is slashing .350/.381/.350 with three runs, an RBI and a stolen base, and embracing what he can learn from his veteran teammates along the way.

"Definitely -- all of 'em, I'd say," Benge said. "Everyone -- Tyrone Taylor, (Juan) Soto, all the outfielders, even (Marcus) Semien a lot -- ut I'd say all those guys have been really kind to me."

Observations from Mets spring training on Monday.

In a Pinch

Jonathan Pintaro provided 2 ¹/₃ scoreless innings in relief for the Mets in their 10-4 exhibition victory over the Yankees at Clover Park. The right-hander allowed three hits and two walks over that stretch, but recorded three strikeouts to escape trouble.

Slow Go

Jorge Polanco finished 0-for-3 with a strikeout and is batting only .143 in the exhibition season. Polanco started at first base.

Caught My Eye

Hollywood legend Ron Howard was on the field near the Mets dugout before the game and struck up conversations with players and staff.

Monday’s Schedule

Zach Thornton will be on the mound for the Mets against the Marlins at Clover Park.

The Texas Rangers have claimed outfielder Dairon Blanco off waivers from the Royals. Blanco had been designated for assignment earlier this week to make room for the signing of free agent Starling Marte.

The 32-year-old Blanco was the sixth-oldest player on the 40-man roster, despite not yet being arbitration-eligible. He had a late start to his career after defecting from Cuba and was acquired by the Royals in 2019 in a mid-season trade with the Athletics for pitcher Jake Diekman. In parts of four seasons with the Royals, he hit .257/.312/.416 with seven home runs. Speed was his calling card, and he was frequently called on as a pinch-runner, stealing 59 bases, despite just 66 career hits. Blanco appeared in just nine games with the Royals last season, and hit .253/.332/.405 with eight home runs and 32 steals in 77 games for Triple-A Omaha.

Blanco had blazing speed, but for one day, he hit like Babe Ruth. On August 17, 2024, against the Reds, Blanco had a career night with two home runs and 7 RBI, tying a club record. He used a yellow crayon bat for Players’ Weekend, choosing yellow because it was his mom’s favorite color.

Blanco could be erratic at times in the outfield despite his speed. But he wasn’t totally bereft of power like many speedsters, and could be a threat offensively at times. The decision to part ways with a potential base-stealing weapon instead of an outfielder like Drew Waters probably won’t matter much, but it is a bit curious.