Category: MLB

The next time Bryan Woo pitches, it will count for real. 

The Mariners beat the White Sox 2-1 in the next to last game of the preseason. Woo got the start and looked sharp. He needed just 73 pitches to get through his scheduled six innings. He struck out four, walked none, and gave up three hits. His velocity was a touch down from a year ago, though not in a concerning range. It was a solid final warmup before the real thing next week. 

It was who Woo threw to on Sunday that stole the show. Mitch Garver smacked a homer and drove in a run with a sac fly. That’s after it was announced this morning that Garver had won backup catcher job to begin the season. Shannon Drayer shared this quote from Dan Wilson when the news announced, hinting at the team’s thought process for keeping Garver around. 

“I think the job that Garv does is tremendous,” Wilson said last week. “And I think he’s able to lean on experience. He takes our information very seriously, too. When you combine those two, Garv does a really good job back there. I think that’s a huge asset that we have in that we have Cal, who does such a great job, is one of the best catchers in the league, was one of the best players in the league, period. And then you have a guy with experience, and as the backup role, that really helps a lot in the background, too, behind the scenes with a lot of our guys. And so it’s really a good combination to have.”

Garver was obviously not what the Mariners hoped for when they signed him to a two-year deal in 2024. He posted an 86 wRC+ in 720 plate appearances before becoming a free agent. That’s fine for a backup catcher, but the initial plan was for him to serve as the team’s DH. It wasn’t clear whether he’d continue to serve as Cal Raleigh’s understudy after reaching free agency this offseason. It seemed less likely when the Mariners signed Andrew Knizner and Johnny Pereda. But Raleigh reportedly reached out to Garver, the latest evidence of his impact beyond the field, eventually leading the Mariners to bring Garver back to camp. He has now won the job. 

I like Garver. He’s a fine backup catcher. He continues to hit lefties pretty well. I’m not sure there’s a less consequential role than backup to Cal Raleigh, and Garver fills it well. 

There honestly wasn’t a lot else to this game. Andrés Muñoz pitched and was fine. Jose Ferrer pitched and gave up a home run. Cooper Criswell closed out the game, with only a touch of heart burn. Each team collected just a few hits. It was fast and painless, which is all you can ask for at this time of year. Bring on the regular season. 

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves and have 33 players in camp.

Optioned to Triple-A Reno:

• LHP Philip Abner

Reassigned to Minor League camp:

• C Aramis Garcia
• INF Jacob Amaya

The first of these is a bit of a surprise. Only yesterday, I was noting how Abner seemed to have the inside track for left-handers job, after the recent meltdowns of Brandyn Garcia. Now, it seems either it’s Garcia’s job, or the Diamondbacks will be going without a left-handed option out of the pen.

The finale of the Cactus League today, with the remaining games tomorrow and Tuesday being on the hallowed (artificial) turf of Chase Field. John Curtiss gets the start, to be followed by LHP Brandyn Garcia, RHP Juan Morillo, RHP Taylor Rashi, RHP Shawn Dubin and, uh, according to the D-backs team notes anyway, RHP John Curtiss again. I presume the Curtiss start is to avoid a divisional rival getting experience late in spring against a recognized starting pitcher. This game was originally going to be broadcast on Arizona Sports, but the team notes make no mention of this. The change in start time from an afternoon game may have screwed things up there.

Tyler Glasnow makes his final start before the regular season as the Dodgers visit the Angels.

• Teams: Dodgers @ Angels
• Stadium: Angel Stadium, Anaheim
• Time: 6:07 p.m. PT
• TV: MLB Network and SportsNet LA
• Radio: Dodgers Radio AM 570 & KLAA

It’s the penultimate night in Peoria, er, Glendale.

Bryan Woo will get the ball in the Mariners’ next to last game of Spring Training. The next time we see him, it’ll count for real. Catching Woo today is newly appointed backup catcher Mitch Garver. The rest of the Mariners lineup is not quite what they’ll send out on Opening Day lineup, but still a group of players who will feature throughout the season.

Also expected to pitch today: Andrés Muñoz, Jhonathan Díaz, Jose Ferrer, Casey Legumina, and Cooper Criswell.

First Pitch: 6:05 pm PDT

TV: None

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, MLB.com

Four, that’s right, four days to go until the games start meaning to mean! Until then, we’ll have to sate ourselves with whatever kind of scrap of news this is.

Uh, alright? Nothing wrong with a little catching depth, I suppose? Korey Lee doesn’t have any options remaining and has had a productive spring, so he’s been a lock to make the roster the moment Kyle Teel pulled up limping in the World Baseball Classic. The whole “$1.2 million” thing there, though, indicates that McGuire has a real possibility of making the roster, if it’s not already foregone. This, to me, is strange, because while I’m interested to see whether Lee’s offseason hitting work has paid off, he doesn’t need to be in the lineup almost every day like both Teel and Edgar Quero do. That would make a third catcher on the roster redundant, so I’m curious to see what it all means.

Anyhow, not a ton interesting about the lineup the Sox are running out against Seattle tonight, but the battle between Tristan Peters, Everson Pereira, and Derek Hill rages on for what may now be two open outfield spots, with Brooks Baldwin out of the picture for the opener on Thursday. It’ll also be the last time Camelback Ranch sees White Sox game action until 2027, as they’ll be on the road for their final outing of the spring season tomorrow.

Sean Burke takes the ball for one final tune-up start before they really start to count, hoping to end with a flourish to offset what to this point has been a somewhat wobbly spring. He did look solid his last time out, nearly making it through five innings against Texas last Monday while surrendering just a single run. He’s on pace to get the nod for game two of the regular season against Milwaukee, on Saturday.

Opposite Burke, Sox hitters will get a look at Seattle’s burgeoning ace in Bryan Woo, who surely wants to come into the regular season hot after injuries kept him out of the 2025 postseason rotation despite a Cy Young-caliber campaign. Outside of Woo, most of Seattle’s big names are getting the night off, as Cal Raleigh dons the tools of ignorance by his lonesome without any of Julio Rodríguez, Randy Arozarena or Josh Naylor buffering him in the lineup.

This one is scheduled to tip off at 8:05 p.m. CT, and for the first time this year, I’ll actually be able to watch a game I’m recapping, as the CHSN TV crew will be on the call like usual. Hallelujah!

Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres, March 22, 2026, 6:10 p.m. PST

Watch: None

Location: Peoria Sports Complex – Peoria, AZ

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

Here at BrewCrewBall, normally our game recaps provide a play-by-play (or, at least the important plays) of the game that we’re recapping. Since today’s Spring Breakout is an exhibition game, more of an excuse to showcase prospects than a game that really counts for anything, I thought I’d do this recap a bit differently. Here are some of the prospects that stood out in today’s 9-8 loss to the Athletics:

Blake Burke:

Burke, who played first base tonight, had the Brewers’ only two-hit performance in today’s game. Both hits were singles, with the first an RBI single in the first to score Luis Peña and give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. Burke also stole third base twice en route to a three-steal performance. He played out of his mind once being promoted to Double-A (300/.377/.579 with 11 HRs in just 140 at-bats); if he can sustain anything close to that level of performance next season, it might not be long before he’s in a major league clubhouse.

Jesus Made

The good: Made only had one hit in three at-bats, but his hit — a 112.7 mph line drive double off of A’s No. 2 prospect Jamie Arnold — was the second-hardest hit ball of the day. The bad: he did have two throwing errors, one of which cost the Brewers a run. Not much more to say about Made, who continues to impress in one way or another nearly every time he’s on the field. He’s Milwaukee’s No. 1 prospect for a reason.

Eric Bitonti

Bitonti’s power has never been in question; he hit 19 home runs last year in Single-A . He ended the season still in Single-A because, despite all his power, he strikes out too much. Bitonti did strike out once in his two at-bats, but the other at-bat ended in a monstrous home run that came off the bat at 115.7 mph. With all the other talented corner infielders in the Brewers’ system, he has been somewhat overlooked. Today’s home run is a reminder that if he can cut down on the strikeouts, his power could be a true difference maker someday.

Other position players who had hits included Andrew Fischer, Brady Ebel, and Daniel Dickinson, all 2025 draft picks. Ebel’s hit, a double to left field, tied the game at 7 for the Brewers in the eighth inning. Fischer’s been flashing all spring between the World Baseball Classic and Spring Training, and tonight was no exception — smoking a 111.3 mph double down the right field line to score Ebel and give the Brewers an 8-7 lead.

Luis Peña got the Brewers on the board in the first with his only hit of the contest:

The pitching staff was a bit less impressive today, as Ethan Dorchies and Wande Torres were the only pitchers who didn’t allow a run. Starter Tyson Hardin allowed four hits and three runs in two innings, walking two and striking out one. The Brewers put up four runs before he was pulled, so Hardin exited the game with the lead. His replacement, Brett Wichrowski, gave up three runs in 0.2 innings, although one of the three was unearned due to a Made throwing error. The winning run for the Athletics was scored on a Darrien Miller passed ball in the bottom of the eighth, although pitcher Mark Manfredi had already allowed three hits and walked a batter during the frame.

I’d also be remiss not to mention that Josh Adamczewski made a nice leaping catch on the warning track to end the fourth inning, Adamczewski was listed as an infielder and mainly played middle infield last season, but the Brewers have a logjam of prospects (Made, Peña, Cooper Pratt, Jett Williams) that play shortstop and/or second base. Because of this, the Brewers are giving Adamczewski reps in left field to get his bat in the lineup. Seeing him do stuff like this in the outfield is a great sign:

Before the Yankees begin their 2026 season with Wednesday's 8:05 p.m. Opening Night game at the San Francisco Giants, New York has two more spring training games -- 3:05 p.m. starts Monday and Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Ariz.

Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery recovery) will start Tuesday's game with two innings in mind, followed by left-hander Ryan Weathers, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

The Yankees enter the regular season with a four-man rotation -- left-hander Max Fried, right-handers Cam Schlittler and Will Warren and the left-handed Weathers -- YES Network's Meredith Marakovits reported.

New York is "discussing what that means for Luis Gil," Hoch said.

"Gil will remain behind in Tampa and throw live batting practice on Wednesday," Hoch wrote. "The Yanks are considering optioning him to the minors. If they don't, Matt Blake said they may use him in a piggyback role."

Gil's spring training was a struggle, but he ended his last start on a high note.

Anthony Volpe injury update

ShortstopAnthony Volpe (left shoulder) "is expected to get in rehab games in mid April," according to Marakovits.

More than a month ago, Volpe said that an April return would "definitely" be possible.

Carlos Lagrange wins 2026 James P. Dawson Award

The Yankees' annual honor for the most outstanding rookie of spring training is Carlos Lagrange, the right-hander whose efforts made being sent down "a difficult decision."

"Well, I feel pretty good with my participation in this big league camp," Lagrange told Marakovits. "You know, that was my first one. It was pretty good."

Lagrange, 22, went 1-0 with a 0.66 ERA in 13.1 IP over four games (one start), allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits (one homer) while striking out 13 and walking four.

"I think I take a lot of confidence because when you have a really good team on your back, you know, you pitch with confidence," Lagrange said. "And during the summer, you know they can help you make the plays."

Lagrange is the Yankees' top pitching prospect and ranked No. 2 overall behind infielder Greg Lombard Jr., according to MLB Pipeline.

The Mets lost their final spring training game 4-3, holding the lead from the fourth inning until the Marlins scored two runs in the ninth to win the game.

• David Peterson threw 76 pitches over five innings, giving up one run on five hits and a walk, while striking out four.
• Luke Weaver got just one out, giving up a run without giving up a hit, but instead walking three batters.
• Zach Peek and Ben Simon both had scoreless outings, going 0.2 innings and 1.0 inning respectively. SImon also struck out two batters and walked one.
• Parker Carlson picked up the blown save and the loss, giving up the tying and go-ahead run in the ninth, but overall he went 1.2 innings and struck out three.
• Bo Bichette went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk, driving in a run and scoring a run as well.
• Brett Baty went 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Jorge Polanco collected an RBI of his own on a sacrifice fly.
• Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto each collected a hit as well, and both came around to score.

The Mets don’t play again until Thursday, when they’re back in Citi Field and taking on Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day. It’s a 1:15 PM ET start, and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock, so you’ll have to wait a little longer to hear Gary, Keith, and Ron’s dulcet tones.

Today the Colorado Rockies wrapped up their spring training games by defeating The Athletics 6-5. See game highlights here.

First, here are manager Warren Schaeffer’s postgame thoughts:

Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen discussed his day:

And, finally, Edouard Julien discussed being named to the Rockies Opening Day roster:

The Rockies finish spring training games with a 14-14 record. For the next two days, they will welcome the Detroit Tigers to Salt River Fields.

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JUPITER, Fla. — Carson Benge has performed at a high enough level this spring to earn a job with the Mets. Now he awaits the final verdict.

The stud prospect completed his initial Grapefruit League season Sunday, finishing 1-for-3 in the 4-3 loss to the Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Benge, who finished with an .874 OPS in 14 games, hardly appeared overwhelmed, both on the field and off.

“I am happy that I carried myself in a really good way,” the 23-year-old outfielder said. “I showed everyone what kind of person I am and I feel like that is what spoke the loudest for me.”

Mike Tauchman’s removal from the mix — the veteran outfielder has a torn meniscus in his left knee that needs surgery — may have strengthened Benge’s chances, although the Mets conceivably could have carried both Tauchman and Benge.

Tyrone Taylor and Brett Baty are right field options, and Jared Young is another possibility.

But it may be determined that Benge is ready, handing him the starting job.

The Mets will break camp after a workout Monday, but it’s possible Benge won’t know his fate until just before Thursday’s season opener.

Benge is not on the 40-man roster.

“I’ll be patient,” Benge said. “I have waited this long, I will wait a little longer.”

Benge was asked about his biggest takeaway from camp.

“Just the level that these guys play at,” Benge said. “Day in and day out, they put in the work. They put real focus into everything they do, from preparation, hydration, stuff on the field, stuff off the field is really what I picked up.”

Nolan McLean and Sean Manaea will pitch in Monday’s intrasquad scrimmage.

It will be a final tuneup for McLean before his scheduled Sunday start against the Pirates.

It’s unclear when Manaea will pitch for the first time, as he begins the season in the bullpen in a piggyback role.

Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga will remain in Port St. Lucie to pitch in minor league games this week before heading north.

David Peterson allowed one earned run on five hits over five innings against the Marlins to finish the Grapefruit League with a 4.15 ERA.

The lefty is scheduled to face the Pirates on Saturday at Citi Field.

Cubs right-hander Cade Horton, who shapes up to be the No. 2 starter after Matthew Boyd begins the season, had an excellent six-inning outing against the Brewers Sunday at Sloan Park.

Okay, so it was against a team of Brewers minor leaguers, as all the MLB Brewers had departed for Milwaukee Sunday, as they have exhibition games there against the Reds Monday and Tuesday.

Still, Horton was again dominant and the Cubs smashed the Double-A and Triple-A Brewers 12-0.

Horton threw 68 pitches (48 strikes). Here’s more on Horton’s outing [VIDEO].

As for the Cubs offense, most of the regulars played the first few innings of the game and hit those minor-league Brewers well.

Here’s an RBI double by Moisés Ballesteros in the second [VIDEO].

Ballesteros later doubled again. He’s a hitting machine, perfect for the DH role he’ll embody this year.

In the third, Alex Bregman homered [VIDEO].

Ian Happ followed that with a solo homer of his own [VIDEO].

Nico Hoerner had a pair of hits, including a two-run double. Dansby Swanson also drove in a pair.

So, yes, against minor leaguers. Still, it has to be good for these hitters to get into a rhythm before Opening Day on Thursday. After today the Cubs don’t face the Brewers until May 18.

Ben Brown threw two scoreless innings of relief, and was touching 97-98 consistently. I think this will be an excellent role for him this year, and it appears he’s going to make the Opening Day roster and serve in that precise role.

Attendance watch: 14,375 paid on another hot (96 degrees) day at Sloan Park. That pushes the season total over 200,000, at 202,927 for 16 dates. That’s an average of 12,683 per date. (This does not include the Spring Breakout game.)

One more note, ICYMI:

No surprises here. Jonathon Long might have had a shot at the Opening Day roster, but the injury he suffered early in camp set him back too far. I’m thinking he’ll get some chances in the big leagues later this year.

The Cubs will wrap Spring Training 2026 with two exhibition games against the Yankees at Sloan Park. Monday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. CT, Shōta Imanaga will face Carlos Lagrange. No TV Monday, there will be radio broadcasts on both WSCR The Score and the Yankees flagship WFAN 660.

After one game in Anaheim, the Freeway Series shifts to Dodger Stadium with the Dodgers hosting the Angels for the first of two games in Los Angeles.

Roki Sasaki makes his final exhibition start, trying to land the plane after a very turbulent spring training. Sasaki starting this middle game of the Freeway Series lines him up to start the second series of the regular season, against the Guardians.

Left-hander Reid Detmers starts Monday for the Angels.

Monday game info

• Teams: Dodgers at Angels
• Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
• Time: 6:10 p.m.
• TV: SportsNet LA, FanDuel Sports Network West (Angels)
• Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Box Score

The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their Cactus League slate in Mesa, Arizona on Sunday afternoon, as they took a rough 12-0 loss at the hands of the Chicago Cubs.

Is this a worrying loss? Perhaps even less than other spring training games, which are already of very little concern. In this one, the Brewers had just about none of their regulars, as the major league squad is traveling back to Milwaukee for a pair of exhibitions against the Reds on Monday and Tuesday.

In fact, outside of starting pitcher Chad Patrick (27 career appearances), the only other players on the travel roster for Sunday with MLB experience were reliever Peter Strzelecki (77 appearances) and outfielder Jacob Hurtubise (83 career plate appearances over 41 games). Oh, and most of Milwaukee’s star prospects are over at Hohokam Stadium playing in the Spring Breakout game against the A’s, so we’re really talking about digging deep in the minors for today’s roster.

On the other side, the Cubs rolled with most of their everyday players, including Michael Busch, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, Carson Kelly, Moisés Ballestreros, Dansby Swanson, and Matt Shaw. Cade Horton also started on the mound.

So, rather than put you through the misery of going through a sad 12-0 loss to Milwaukee’s biggest rival, I’ll just give you a peek at a few key stat lines.

Patrick did not have a great game, as he went four innings, allowing seven runs on six hits and a pair of walks with four strikeouts to finish his spring with an 11.68 ERA. Concerned? Again, no. Strzelecki allowed two runs in 1 2/3 innings, and Garrett Hodges, Tanner Gillis, and Stiven Cruz also pitched in this one.

Offensively, six players finished with a hit today, including Dylan O’Rae, Jeferson Quero, David García, Mike Boeve, Eric Brown Jr., and Hurtubise. The only one of those of the extra-base variety was a double by Brown. Hurtubise and O’Rae both swiped a bag, while the offense as a whole went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Perhaps the coolest thing about this game was Prince Fielder’s son, Jadyn, entered the game late as a pinch-hitter for Marco Dinges. The 21-year-old second baseman struck out in his only at-bat.

The Brewers have the aforementioned exhibitions against the Reds on deck, as they’ll welcome them to American Family Field in Milwaukee for games on Monday and Tuesday. Then, it’s time for Opening Day, as the White Sox come to town beginning Thursday. Aaron Ashby will start in Monday’s game against Cincinnati, with Brady Singer starting for the Reds. First pitch in that one is at 6:40 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on 94.5 ESPN Radio and the Brewer Radio Network.