Category: MLB

Observations from Yankees spring training on Wednesday

Big blast

Ben Rice crushed his first home run of the spring, a 412-footer off Red Sox reliever Justin Slaten that came off the bat at 108.8 mph and cut through the wind blowing in from right field.

Bird botch

At first base, Rice made a diving stop to his right to knock down a hard ground ball from Isiah Kiner-Falefa, got to his feet to collect the ball and then flipped to Jake Bird for what should have been an out.

The first base umpire claimed Bird did not actually step on the bag, but it was a strong play by Rice nonetheless.

Caught my eye

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, shortstop Braden Shewmake made a diving catch in shallow left field, then got onto one knee to fire home and throw out the runner trying to tag up from third for the inning-ending double play.

Thursday’s schedule

Paul Blackburn will make his second start of the spring as the Yankees host the Twins on Thursday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field.

The new “Sunday Night Baseball” has its voice. 

NBC Sports announced Wednesday that Jason Benetti will be the play-by-play announcer for the network’s new “Sunday Night Baseball” package on NBC and Peacock, something that had been widely expected for some time now. 

His first game on-air for NBC this season will be on March 26, when the Dodgers host the Diamondbacks in an Opening Day battle. 

Benetti will remain as the TV voice of the Tigers’ local broadcasts, and while on the air for “Sunday Night Baseball,” he will be paired with analysts who have connections to the teams playing in that day’s game. 

“I am thrilled to be rejoining the NBC Sports family,” Benetti said in a statement. “Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and the whole team at NBC all have a deep appreciation for live sports. It’s a true honor to be part of the dawn of Sunday Night Baseball at NBC Sports. Each week is going to be a new, unique experience with analysts who all have different viewpoints on the game of baseball.”

This will be Benetti’s second go-around at NBC, having done play-by-play duty on NBC’s “MLB Sunday Leadoff” in 2022 on Peacock. 

He also called baseball games during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. 

“After Jason finished the 2022 baseball season with us, we told him that if we ever got MLB back, he’d be our first call,” NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood said in a statement. “Jason is one of the best play-by-play announcers in the business and we’re thrilled to have him back on a full-time basis with NBC Sports, beginning with Sunday Night Baseball.”

Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that Benetti had been released from his contract with Fox early in order to take the NBC gig. 

NBC Sports has put together an all-star lineup, adding former MLB stars Joey Votto, Clayton Kershaw and Anthony Rizzo for its studio show. 

Bob Costas will also contribute in an emeritus role as he winds down his broadcasting career. 

Costas told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he would be hosting the pregame show for about two-thirds of NBC’s coverage leading up to a “Sunday Night Baseball” game.

Could Kyler Murray change sports?

One MLB club certainly wouldn’t mind.

Murray, who is expected to be released by the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the new NFL year, was selected by the A’s as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.

He eventually went back to Oklahoma, though, winning the Heisman Trophy and getting taken as the top overall pick in the NFL.

That all but ended his baseball-playing career.

But the A’s are keeping the door open as Murray is soon to be without an NFL team.

“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” A’s general manager David Forst told MLB.com. “That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”

Murray, an outfielder, signed a $4.6 million contract with the A’s after the 2018 draft, with the deal allowing him to play college football with the Sooners before coming to the baseball team the next year.

However, in February of ’19, Murray posted a statement to Twitter where he said he had changed his mind and he was going to pursue professional football.

“Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback,” Murray wrote. “Football has been my love and passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100% of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships.”

Murray played two seasons on Oklahoma’s baseball team, hitting .261/.381/.466 with 10 home runs and 53 RBIs.

Before the 2019 season, he ranked as the A’s No. 4 prospect on MLB Pipeline, with a 50/80 overall grade.

The A’s, meanwhile, have a young core of major leaguers — particularly in their lineup — that makes them a promising team in the American League West.

They inked All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson and outfielder Tyler Soderstrom to seven-year extensions this offseason as they look to improve upon a 76-win 2025. Fangraphs projects the team to have a four-win improvement in 2026.

Murray said Tuesday after the news of his Arizona departure that he was “sorry” he “failed” the Cardinals. He finished his Arizona tenure with a 38-48-1 record, 20,460 passing yards and 3,193 rushing yards. He should still have plenty of suitors in the NFL, with the Jets potentially being one of them.

But if he wants to take a different swing path, the A’s are open and willing.

PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets like a lot of Carson Benge’s game, especially his ability to hit left-handers.

The young right fielder showed that again Wednesday, when he went deep for the first time this spring in the 5-2 win over Team Israel on Wednesday at Clover Park.

The opposite-field shot to left came off Ryan Prager, a Single-A pitcher in the Cleveland organization.

Benge, though, didn’t make much of the shot.

“I can’t focus too much on results,” Benge said. “Just focus on the work I do pregame and postgame. That’s really all that matters to me. Results, yeah, they’re nice, but I’m sticking to my work.”

But as Benge tries to win the right field job out of spring training, performances like Wednesday’s likely don’t hurt.

“I said before the game that he can hit left-on-left,” Carlos Mendoza said. “We saw it today: A two-strike count and he stayed in there. Not only did he put the ball in play, but he was able to drive the ball with authority [the other way]. That’s what he does and it’s exciting.”

“It doesn’t matter to me who’s up there,” Benge said. “Just do my best to win the battle.”

The battle for the right field job is still up for grabs and there’s plenty of time for the right field competition to play out, with Mike Tauchman and MJ Melendez also in the mix, and Tyrone Taylor also a possibility.

The Mets continue to be intrigued by Benge’s ceiling.

Benge's oppo blast @Carsonbenge3 | @SNYtvpic.twitter.com/FfGQU3nKHV

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 4, 2026

“I felt like I came [into camp] trying to be myself,’’ Benge said. “I feel I’ve put in the work and whatever happens is in God’s hands.”

Mendoza said Benge has been “as advertised” this spring.

“He’s a guy with a lot of tools,’’ the manager said. “He helps win ballgames not only offensively, but defensively.”

And while Benge can play center field, Mendoza said he’d keep the prospect in right for now, since that’s the spot that’s open, with Luis Robert Jr. in center and Juan Soto in left.

Robert made his debut of sorts with the Mets in a minor league game on a back field.

He doubled and looked fine on the bases, as well as in center, where he made a catch, but wasn’t tested much in four innings.

Mendoza said Robert will play minor league games every other day for a week, but he has no restrictions when he’s on the field as the Mets look to avoid the lower-body injuries that have plagued him in recent seasons.

Francisco Lindor’s road back from hamate surgery continued Wednesday as he began a swinging program in the batting cages, according to Mendoza.

The shortstop also recently began playing catch as he tries to be ready by Opening Day. 

Chris Suero, who played catcher and left field this spring, and reliever Nate Lavender were reassigned to minor league camp.

Observations from Mets spring training on Wednesday

Long man

David Peterson, now the longest-tenured Met, got off to a strong start with three scoreless innings in his first outing of the spring. The lefty struck out four in the 5-2 win over Israel’s WBC team.

Burd is the word

Nick Burdi allowed a run on two hits in his lone inning of work and has allowed three runs in three innings this spring.

Caught my eye

Bo Bichette made a terrific diving stop to his right on a smash down the third base line to start a 5-4-3 double play in a minor league game, saying afterward, “It’s all about getting more comfortable there. My goal coming into the game was to feel less antsy and not worry if a ball like that got by me and that allowed me to just go after the ball and make the play.”

Thursday’s schedule

The Mets travel to West Palm Beach, Fla., to face the Nationals with right-hander Justin Hagenman getting the start.

We are on the eve of official World Baseball Classic play!

Last night, Sam Bradfield asked for predictions of who will win.

I want to build off of that tonight and ask this: Which Rockies do you think will have the best showing?

So, Purple Row Night Owls, who ya got?

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Today, the Colorado Rockies took a positive shellacking at the hands of Team USA, losing 14-4.

For more game highlights, click here.

Let’s start with comments from manager Warren Schaeffer:

Here’s starting pitcher Kyle Freeland, who is working on a new cutter:

Gabriel Hughes weighed in on his day:

Mickey Moniak weighed in on hitting a home run off Clayton Kershaw:

And here’s Team USA hitting coach Matt Holliday:

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PORT ST. LUCIE — It was mostly quiet, with not many people in the makeshift stands, for Nolan McLean’s latest outing, a minor league game on a back field behind Clover Park.

And there weren’t too many familiar faces in the opposing lineup through the right-hander’s four innings Wednesday.

But that didn’t make the start any less important for McLean, who emerged as one of the most promising Mets pitchers last season and early this spring before he was sidelined by vertigo-like symptoms that were caused by a viral infection in his inner ear.

The symptoms are now gone. After exiting the game, his focus shifted to the WBC.

He’s expected to leave to meet Team USA as soon as Thursday and is slated to pitch March 10 against Team Italy, and if the U.S. advances to the final of the tournament March 17, McLean will get the ball then, as well.

“That’s a great honor,’’ McLean said of Team USA manager Mark DeRosa naming him the potential starter for the tournament finale. “But there’s a lot of baseball to be played [and] a lot of really good teams out there. My job is to go out there, compete against Italy, do the best I can and be a good teammate for the rest of the games. Then, hope we make the finals and I get the ball.”

The Mets are no doubt relieved McLean was back on the mound Wednesday, after the 24-year-old was struck by symptoms that included dizziness and a loss of appetite for much of last week before they began to dissipate over the weekend.

During Wednesday’s outing, which lasted about 55 pitches, he showed no effects of the issues he dealt with that led to his delay in getting to the WBC.

McLean said he felt “pretty good, almost too loose, at times,’’ while on the mound.

“Which I guess is a good thing,’’ McLean added. “I felt a little erratic, but I think I was just fired up to get out there. It’s hard to explain. I like feeling a little tightness and soreness — I don’t know what you want to call it — when I’m out there.”

Carlos Mendoza noted McLean’s velocity was up, which was another positive sign.

The results were promising and now McLean appears set to take the next step in his development as a top-tier pitcher, joining a pitching staff that includes not just Mets teammate Clay Holmes, but aces like Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb.

“I’m excited to pick their brains,’’ McLean said. “We’ve got a bunch of Cy Youngs in that building. I’m excited to learn from them and see how they do everything and watch from afar.”

He’ll first have to make sure he bounces back fine Thursday and meet with the training staff, but McLean was encouraged.

“I had no symptoms out there throwing, which I think was the ultimate test,’’ McLean said.

If all goes according to plan, his teammates in Port St. Lucie will be paying attention to how McLean pitches on the big stage, and prospect Carson Benge has little doubt he’ll succeed.

“I feel like he just goes out there and has fun,” said Benge, who played with McLean at Oklahoma State. “He doesn’t care who’s out there or who he’s going up against. That’s all you can do.”

While there have been other prospect rankings, from the likes of Fangraphs and 1500 Prospects, the list put out by MLB Pipeline is always seen as one of the most highly-regarded. Well, they just dropped the Diamondbacks list for the start of 2026. 30 prospects are ranked there, and here’s what they have, along with their position and age:

1. Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, 23
2. Kayson Cunningham, SS, 19
3. Slade Caldwell, OF, 19
4. Tommy Troy, 2B/OF, 24
5. Demetrio Crisantes, 2B/3B, 21
6. JD Dix, 2B, 20
7. Daniel Eagen, RHP, 23
8. David Hagaman, RHP, 22
9. Patrick Forbes, RHP, 21
10. LuJames Groover, 3B, 23
11. Cristian Mena, RHP, 23
12. Kohl Drake, LHP, 25
13. Jansel Luis, INF, 20
14. Mitch Bratt, LHP, 22
15. Cristofer Torin, SS/2B, 20
16. Druw Jones, OF, 22
17. Carlos Virahonda, C, 20
18. Ashton Izzi, RHP, 22
19. Dean Livingston, RHP, 19
20. Brandyn Garcia, LHP, 25
21. Yassel Soler, 3B, 20
22. Brian Curley, RHP, 22
23. Yilber Díaz, RHP, 25
24. Wellington Aracena, RHP, 21
25. Daury Vasquez, RHP, 19
26. Ivan Luciano, C, 19
27. Jose Fernandez, SS, 22
28. Mason Marriott, RHP, 23
29. Avery Owusu-Asiedu, OF, 22
30. Gavin Conticello, OF, 22

No great surprise at the top, where Ryan Waldschmidt (top) retains the #1 position he had last year. He was also named at the head of the Fangraphs and Prospects 1500 lists. Behind him, Kayson Cunnigham moves up one place from the final ranking of 2025, and is preferred here to the other two systems, which both ranked him lower (Fangraphs at #7, P1500 at #4). The biggest jump is by pitcher David Hagaman, who came over from Texas in the Merrill Kelly trade, and moves up from #15 to #8, entering the top ten for the first time. Catcher Carlos Virahonda also improved by seven spots, and is at #17. Though Yilber Diaz is ranked for the first time, coming in at #23.

In the other direction, Yu-Min Lin is likely the biggest bad news candidate. He was ranked 20th, but is no longer listed. Fellow pitchers Yordin Chalas (#21 last time) and Hunter Cranton (#29) have also dropped out, with Jose Fernandez and Mason Marriott joining Diaz in entering the top thirty. Fernandez, in particular, has seen his stock rise rapidly, first being added to the D-backs’ 40-man roster, and then making a strong impression in spring training. He has a .934 OPS across eight games so far.

Overall, it’s clear that there’s still work to do by Mike Hazen, in terms of improving the pitching situation on the farm. While the arrival of Hagaman, Kohl Drake (#12) and Mitch Bratt (#14) from Texas was certainly helpful (that trade, for two months of Merrill, could turn out to be a real steal for the D-backs), there isn’t much in the way of top-tier talent. It’s equally obvious what Hazen is attempting to do lately. Eight of the top thirty came to Arizona in trades, going back to Cristian Mena in 2023. Of those, only one – outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu – is a position player, and he’s only just on the list, coming in at #29.

I can certainly see several names graduating from the list this year, as they come onto the major-league roster. Waldschmidt is the obvious top candidate, but we could potentially also see Tommy Troy, Drake, Bratt, Diaz and Fernandez lose their rookie status in 2026. That’s why any team needs to work on having a constant stream – a pipeline, one might say – of prospects coming through the system. What do you reckon about the D-backs farm system? Where does it stand, and which prospects are you particularly excited about following this season? Tell us in the comments!

Game No. 1: Chinese Taipei (中華臺北) at Australia (ɐı̣ןɐɹʇsnⱯ)

Venue: Tokyo Dome — Tokyo, Japan

The first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic includes one of the last tournament’s hosts. Chinese Taipei finished the group stage with a record of 2-2, as did everyone else in 2023’s Pool A. However, they failed to qualify for the knockout quarterfinals with a -5 run differential. They’ll be the away team against Australia, who went 3-1 in the group stage only to be knocked out by Cuba in the first round of the knockout stage in 2023.

Rockies fans may recognize left-handed pitcher Jack Te Haki O’Loughlin—who spent time with the organization last year—on the Australia roster. He is joined by former Rockies farmhand and catcher Robbie Perkins, young Cleveland Guardians star Travis Bazzana, and 2023 tournament standout Robbie Glendinning on the team.

For Chinese Taipei, viewers may recognize journeyman MLB outfielder Stuart Fairchild. Fairchild spent the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves and is currently on a minor league deal with the Cleveland Guardians. I personally suggest keeping an eye on outfielder Chen Chieh-hsien. Chen is a six-time All-Star in the CPBL with four Gold Glove Awards and has been playing for the Uni-President Lions since 2016.

First Pitch: 8:00 PM MDT

TV: FS1

Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM

Lineups:

RHP Jo-hsi Hsu vs LHP Alex Wells

Game No. 2: Czechia (Česká) at Korea (대한민국)

Venue: Tokyo Dome — Tokyo, Japan

The darlings of the 2023 tournament take on a former powerhouse looking to make a comeback in the second game of the day.

Czechia was eliminated in pool play back in 2023 with a 1-3 record, but captured the hearts of viewers with their story. A team of electricians, doctors, engineers, and school teachers from a country hardly considered to be baseball-focused, Czechia played David versus Goliath games against the likes of Japan and finished with a record just good enough to automatically qualify for this year’s Classic.

Although retired from baseball, 2023 team captain Petr Zýma is Czechia’s bench coach with catcher Martin Mužík taking over as the new captain. Electrician and right-handed pitcher Ondřej Satoria—who made a name for himself by striking out Shoehi Ohtani on three pitches in 2023—has also returned to the team. Rockies fans might recognize infielder Terrin Vavra, whom the Rockies selected in the third round of the 2018 draft. Vavra is the only player for Czechia with big league experience.

Korea was knocked out in pool play after finishing 2-2, and is now back with a roster absolutely packed with talent. MLB players Shay Whitcomb, Jahmai Jones, Woo-suk Go, and Dane Dunning all have roles to play, while highly decorated former MLB pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu, Giants outfielder and “Grandson of the Wind” Jung-hoo Lee and electric young Dodgers infielder Hyeseong Kim bring star-power to the lineup.

First Pitch: 3:00 AM MDT (March 5th, 2026)

TV: FS1

Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM

Lineups:

RHP Daniel Padyšák vs RHP Hyeong-jun So

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With the start of the World Baseball Classic, many Mariners are on loan to their respective national teams. As such, get ready to see some weird looks from the M’s as the organization gives some unusual opportunities to top prospects.

One of those unusual looks is right hander Cooper Criswell. The pitcher was in the Boston Red Sox organization last year, only to be DFA’d the Sox and claimed by the New York Mets. Just over a month after that, the Mets DFA’d him and the Mariners picked him up for cash. Tonight will be his third appearance this Spring but only his first start. He’s gone two innings in each of his last two outings, and it will be interesting to see how far he is pushed tonight. Probable pitchers to follow Cooper are Jose A. Ferrer, Carlos Vargas, Josh Simpson, Yosver Zulueta, and Ryan Loutos.

Also in the “weird” bucket is J.P. Crawford in the DH spot. He’s making room for Leo Rivas, who in turn is over at short to make room for Cole Young to play second and lead off.

Over in the orange dugout, there’s also a healthy portion of prospects. Real heads will zero in on Robbie Ray, former Mariner, on the mound. Since his time on the Mariners, Robbie Tight Pants has done his best to add a third pitch, picking up his knuckle curve and changeup and using the slider much, much less. Tonight will be his third start of the Spring. Following him is likely to be Carson Seymour, Keaton Winn, and Michael Fulmer. Perhaps the short probables list means they intend for Ray to go deep.

Game Information:

Game Time: 6:05 pm PT

Radio: Seattle Sports 710 AM with Rick Rizzs, Gary Hill Jr. and Shannon Drayer on the call.

TV: Mariners.TV (maybe? Sound off in the comments if it’s working for you.)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Isiah Kiner-Falefa was a part-time SS (shortstop) by the end of his time with the Yankees, but always a full-time SS (straight shooter).

So the more Aaron Boone thought about Kiner-Falefa’s comments earlier this spring — that the Blue Jays preferred to face the Yankees in the ALDS over the Red Sox because they thought it was a better matchup — the more he realized he probably shouldn’t have been surprised.

“Because IKF is very honest and real,” Boone said Wednesday. “And I don’t think he meant any slap at us. I frankly didn’t take it that way.”

Kiner-Falefa, the Blue Jay-turned-Red Sox player, confirmed that he did not, in fact, mean it as a jab at his former club, even if it may have quickly endeared him to his new fan base. But he was asked a question in his introductory news conference here last month and did what he always does.

“I just gave the honest answer,” Kiner-Falefa said before the Yankees beat the Red Sox 4-0 at JetBlue Park. “It is what it is. I love the guys over there. I have nothing bad to say about anybody over there. It was just a matchup thing. [Garrett] Crochet’s an unbelievable pitcher and we did not want to face Crochet after he went eight innings against us [in late September].”

Kiner-Falefa did not join the Blue Jays until September, so he was not around to see them bludgeon the Yankees during a pair of series at Rogers Centre over the summer. But he had heard about their success against them during the season (8-5) and also knew that if the Red Sox had beaten the Yankees in the AL wild-card series, that would have meant having to face Crochet, the AL Cy Young runner-up.

“I was just hearing what everybody else was telling me,” said Kiner-Falefa, who signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Red Sox to serve as a utility player. “Obviously you know you have all the [Yankees] big bombers and [Aaron] Judge and all those guys. I’ve seen how good these guys are. It’s like, ‘Are you guys sure?’

“I didn’t mean to ruffle the feathers,” he added. “I forgot how it is back in a big market.”

The comment spread like wildfire, even if it had sound reasoning behind it. The Blue Jays had the Yankees’ number for most of the year and that carried over into the postseason, when they scored 34 runs in 34 innings against them, winning the ALDS in four games. Kiner-Falefa called the Blue Jays an “offensive juggernaut,” a lineup that was contact-oriented but had power, too, and was full of players who knew their role.

Aside from losing Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays are essentially returning the same lineup this season, meaning it remains a problem the Yankees will have to figure out — one of many challenges standing in their way in the AL East, which Boone perennially describes as the toughest in baseball.

“It doesn’t feel like everything has to go right for these teams to be good,” Boone said. 

That includes the Red Sox, the spring version of which the Yankees got their first look at on Wednesday. Crochet, too, remains a problem, but Boone also said their offense could be better than they are getting credit for.

“I know Alex Bregman leaving them is a big loss or whatever, but it doesn’t feel like people are talking about [Willson] Contreras enough, from a production standpoint and how consistent he’s been throughout his career,” Boone said. “So it’s going to be a team that puts the ball in play, they’ve got athleticism, they’ve got some complementary parts. I think they’re going to be good offensively.”

Alex Cora, not surprisingly, was also complimentary of the Yankees – pointing to their pitching and getting “one of the best, if not the best pitcher in the big leagues” back in Gerrit Cole — even if much of their fan base was not satisfied with their winter.

“I got a lot of friends that are Yankee fans and some of them are happy, some of them are upset,” Cora said. “But at the end of the day, one of the things they always do is they’re in the dance, and that’s what you try to do. Just get in the dance and then see what happens.”

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — He is the only retired pitcher on a World Baseball Classic roster.

He’s also the only one with three Cy Young awards, three World Series championships, and 11 All-Star appearances.

And is the lone WBC pitcher who can already make reservations for his Hall of Fame induction in five years.

Clayton Kershaw, who could have stayed home in Dallas after retiring on top of the world with back-to-back World Series titles with the Los Angeles Dodgers, strolled to the mound Wednesday one last time in a spring-training game.

The moment the public address announcer at Salt River Fields called out his name as he walked to the mound, he received a thunderous standing ovation by the sellout crowd of 11,803.

“That was so cool, I had chills out there with the standing O they gave that man,’’ USA teammate and Yankees three-time MVP Aaron Judge said after the USA’s 14-4 victory against the Colorado Rockies. “The crowd went crazy for him out there pitching. Just to see him back out there and get a chance to share a clubhouse with a guy like that, and so respected around the game. He’s accomplished everything in his career.

“It was pretty special.’’

The results weren’t pretty. Kershaw gave up a home run on the third pitch he thew, walked a batter, threw a wild pitch, didn’t throw harder than 87.2 mph, and struggled with his control, throwing just six of his 13 pitches for strikes.

Yet, just wearing the red, white and blue, and considering his arm and body still felt perfectly fine in his first outing since Game 3 of the World Series, he was ecstatic.

The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates may well be National League Central rivals, but that hasn’t stopped them from swinging notable trades of late. Last summer, we saw the deal that sent Ke’Bryan Hayes from the Bucs down river to the Queen City, and on Wednesday evening we saw yet another deal between the two clubs.

This time, it sent infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan up to Pittsburgh in exchange for right-handed reliever Kyle Nicolas. The Reds announced the move on Twitter.

Nicolas, 27, is an Ohio native from Massillon and a former 2nd round pick by Pittsburgh out of Ball State University from back in 2020. He’s appeared in 86 games at the big league level across the last trio of seasons, and since the start of the 2024 season owns a 4.27 ERA and 4.00 FIP in 92.2 IP with an 89/49 K/BB in that time. At the AAA level just last year he struck out 50 batters in 35.2 IP using a combination of a fastball that flirts with triple digits (and averaged 97.6 mph during his time in the majors), and he’s also recently added a sinker in early spring training action after working with a slider and cutter over the course of his career.

He’s got an option remaining and is still pre-arb, with his first year of arbitration eligibility due in 2028.

Callihan, meanwhile, is a former 3rd round pick of the Reds who Cincinnati coaxed into turning professional with a well above-slot signing bonus. His minor league career (and brief big league career) have been littered with injuries, his broken arm just last year while playing left field the most gruesome of the bunch. Still, he’s a left-handed hitter with polish who has hit everywhere he’s been when healthy (and not rusty), and his defensive versatility will give him a shot to make the Pirates roster come Opening Day in some form or fashion.

Mexico made its final tune-up ahead of the World Baseball Classic against the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday afternoon.

It was a tightly contested matchup between both squads as the fans in attendance — many of whom are both Dodgers and Mexico fans — alternated between chants of "Me-xi-co!" and "Lets go Dodgers!"

It was the Dodgers who would come out on top with a 7-5 win, thanks in large part to a three-run eighth inning sparked by a two-out, ground-rule RBI double by first baseman Joe Vetrano to break a 4-4 deadlock. Mexico rallied in the ninth but ultimately fell short.