NORTH PORT, FL - MARCH 09: Atlanta Braves pitcher Hayden Harris (79) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins on March 9, 2026, at CoolToday Park at North Port, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Earlier this afternoon, the Atlanta Braves optioned reliever Hayden Harris to Triple-A and reassigned starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco and relievers Elieser Hernández and James Karinchak to their minor league camp.
Harris is a mild surprise given his stand-out performance this Spring, having struck out 12 batters in five innings. His ability to be optioned – combined with Atlanta starting the season with 13 consecutive games – made his fit on the Opening Day roster a tight one barring a roster move with other relievers. Much like his 2025 minor league performance, he put himself in the position to make the team, soomething that could still happen with two weeks left until the start of the regular season.
Karinchak, the former Cleveland reliever, has also pitched well in camp as he tries to return to the big leagues for the first time since 2023 due to injuries. He has struck out nine across four innings pitched.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com believes that Karinchak will likely be with Atlanta by early April, citing the schedule as a factor in why the Braves would opt for a multi-inning reliever during the season’s first few weeks.
Here’s some clarity to yesterday’s Karinchak vs. Suarez debate. Playing 13 straight days to open the season creates reason to carry a long relief option, especially if you want to give your top starters an extra day of rest those first two weeks. Karinchak will be up soon enough.… https://t.co/dBgY81deys
Carrasco, who made his MLB debut back in 2009, made three starts with Atlanta last year and returned on a minor league deal despite his struggles in 2025. Hernandez is another veteran pitcher, who has 99 games of big league experience, but didn’t pitch in the majors last season.
The moves bring the current camp roster to 50 players.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Matt Chapman #26 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with Willy Adames #2 after hitting a home run during the first inning of the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, we’re a month into Spring Training, and just two weeks away from Opening Day. So it seemed like a good time to dive into one of my overly verbose spring traditions: contextualized stats.
One of the hard things about judging spring results — for individuals or for teams — is that the competition varies. In one at-bat you might be facing off against a Cy Young winner, and, later in the game, you might be battling someone who got drafted in the ninth round last summer and may never make it out of A-Ball. To help you parse through that, I’ve taken a look at every single at-bat that the San Francisco Giants have had so far this spring, and broken them into four categories: at-bats against MLB regulars, at-bats against non-regulars who are on the 40-man roster, at-bats against non-roster invitees, and at-bats against players on loan from Minor League camp. For context, examples of Giants players who fit those categories would be, in order: Robbie Ray, Carson Whisenhunt, Will Bednar, and Nick Zwack.
Of course, one of the other things that makes it hard to judge Spring Training results is that the samples are so small, so me making it even more granular by cutting it into quarters may not be helping things. But it’s interesting!
In addition to tallying those totals, this year I’m adding exit velocities, since all Cactus League ballparks are equipped with Statcast data this year. That data isn’t perfect … there are a few at-bats where the exit velocities were not available. But for the most part, I’ve calculated all the EVs for all the players, so you can see how hard they’re hitting the ball — I’m including average exit velocity (the average of every batted ball); EV50 (the average of the hardest-hit 50% of the balls), and maximum EV. To help you contextualize that data, each number is accompanied by a parenthetical of where it would rank among the 389 MLB hitters who had at least 100 plate appearances last season.
These articles are best fit for off-days, but sadly/happily the Giants don’t have many of those. So apologies to all who played well in Wednesday’s 5-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, but their stats are not included.
Now let the nerding commence!
Willy Adames
vs. regulars: 2-14, 1 home run, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 0-4, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 0-6, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 1-2, 1 strikeout
Also: 1 stolen base, 1 error, 1-for-1 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities (18 balls in play) Average EV: 89.5(185th) EV50: 97.7(331st) Max EV: 106.7 (371st)
Adames’ second spring with the Giants has not gone well, save for one glorious moment: a home run off of World Series hero Yoshinobu Yamamoto to lead off San Francisco’s win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. If it makes you feel better, he had a red-hot spring last year, and then was ice cold to start the season. Let’s hope the opposite is being set up here.
Exit velocities (10 balls in play) Average EV: 85.8(363rd) EV50: 95.4(381st) Max EV: 100.7 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
Giants fans haven’t gotten much of a look at Arráez in the black and orange, as he quickly departed to join Venezuela in the WBC. But his spring has been exactly what you expect of him: pesky at-bats, soft contact, and lots of hits. Things look much rosier if you look at his WBC data, which included a dynamic two home run game. There’s optimism in those at-bats that his downward trajectory on offense could be reversed this year.
Harrison Bader
vs. regulars: 1-4, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 1-3 vs. NRIs: 1-3 vs. MiLBs: 2-2, 1 home run, 1 double
Exit velocities (11 balls in play) Average EV: 84.9 (376th) EV50: 98.9 (276th) Max EV: 113.6 (81st)
Like Arráez, we haven’t seen much of Bader either, due to the WBC. And while the bulk of his damage has come against lower-level pitching, his 113.6-mph hit — the viral home run that damaged a food truck beyond the left field grass — lends us lots of optimism. It matched his career high, and was more than a full MPH harder than any ball he’s hit in a Major League game since 2018.
Patrick Bailey
vs. regulars: 4-11, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 sac fly vs. 40-mans: 1-2 vs. NRIs: 1-4, 1 double vs. MiLBs: 0-1, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 91.9 (39th) EV50: 101.6 (110th) Max EV: 109.7 (266th)
The most notable part of Bailey’s spring has been that he has been an absolute superstar at challenging pitches. He not only is great at framing baseballs, but he has an exceptional awareness of the strike zone as well. But there’s also been a lot of optimism around his bat. He’s had some very loud contact, and in 20 plate appearances has only struck out once.
Osleivis Basabe
vs. regulars: 0-4, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 2-3, 1 double, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 3-5, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 3-6, 1 triple, 2 doubles, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(13 balls in play) Average EV: 92.0 (37th) EV50: 100.2 (193rd) Max EV: 107.9 (345th)
Basabe has really impressed this spring as a non-roster invitee. He has primarily come off the bench, and all of his damage has come against non-regulars. But he’s hitting the ball hard, to go along with his strong defense (don’t let the errors fool you) across the infield.
Exit velocities(22 balls in play) Average EV: 97.8 (above the highest figure of 95.8) EV50: 104.3 (15th) Max EV: 111.9 (139th)
It’s here where I need to remind you of the limitations of small samples for batted ball data. No one is suggesting that Bericoto would have the best average exit velocity in the Majors if he spend the year with San Francisco. But my goodness has he impressed by hitting the ball hard, and hitting it often. 18 of his 22 batted balls have been at least 90 mph, while a whopping nine of them have reached triple figures. It’s been an eye-opening performance that surely has him on the radar of the coaching staff and the front office. It’s the type of showing that could factor into the team’s decision-making this summer if they’re considering calling him up for a debut.
Will Brennan
vs. regulars: 2-7, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 6-10, 3 doubles, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 0-2, 1 walk vs. MiLBs: 0-2
Exit velocities(18 balls in play) Average EV: 86.0 (359th) EV50: 96.4 (365th) Max EV: 106.0 (379th)
I always enjoy overanalyzing this data. Brennan has been utterly dynamic against players on the 40-man roster who aren’t regulars, and awful against everyone else, above and below that. Obviously it means nothing, but it’s funny! Brennan has been just what the Giants expected when they signed him right as camp was starting: he’s played solid defense all across the outfield, and reliably put the ball in play with soft contact. With Drew Gilbert’s ailment delaying his reps in camp, Brennan could have a shot at making the Opening Day roster if the Giants care about handedness for their fourth outfielder.
Exit velocities(2 balls in play) Average EV: 93.8 (9th) EV50: n/a Max EV: 97.3 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
It’s been pretty clear that Cartaya is in camp as a non-roster invitee primarily because the Giants — like all teams — need people who can catch, be it for bullpens, sim games, or late in Cactus League games. He hasn’t gotten any real playing time, as the focus on him will come during the Minor League season when he’s in AAA. He was never in play to earn a role early in the season.
Matt Chapman
vs. regulars: 4-12, 1 home run, 2 doubles, 3 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-5 vs. NRIs: 2-3, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 0-1
Exit velocities(17 balls in play) Average EV: 94.3 (7th) EV50: 105.6 (6th) Max EV: 115.2 (35th)
Chapman has been absolutely smoking the baseball all spring. Six of his 17 balls in play have been at least 105 mph, and he’s also shown off by catching a few blistering balls on defense, as well. Opening Day can’t come soon enough for Chapman. Nothing but green flags over here.
Exit velocities(9 balls in play) Average EV: 94.6 (5th) EV50: 104.4 (14th) Max EV: 110.0 (193rd)
Davidson, one of the organization’s top prospects, is not in camp as an NRI to earn a spot on the team. He’s only barely gotten his feet wet in AA, where he’s likely to begin the 2026 season. But he’s here to hopefully make an impression, and get comfortable with a team that he could end up being a big part of as early as this summer. And make an impression he has. While his overall numbers haven’t been good, his at-bats have been poised, and the contact he’s made has been phenomenal. The spring has done nothing to quell his rapidly rising prospect status.
Rafael Devers
vs. regulars: 0-7, 4 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 0-3, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 0-1, 1 walk vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(5 balls in play) Average EV: 88.5 (246th) EV50: 102.1 (86th) Max EV: 105.2 (383rd)
You don’t want anyone to struggle at Spring Training, but if someone has to, Devers is probably the best man for the job. He’s probably the only hitter on the team that we should have zero worries, doubts, or questions about. He’s still looking for his first hit — but has been slowed by a long absence due to a minor hamstring injury. No concerns here: just saving his hits for the season.
Bryce Eldridge
vs. regulars: 4-14, 1 triple, 2 doubles, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-6, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 4 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 2-7, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 1 walk
Totals:7-27, 1 home run, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 6 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 11 strikeouts, .967 OPS, 146 wRC+
Also:2-for-3 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 92.7 (23rd) EV50: 104.4 (14th) Max EV: 113.0 (97th)
The biggest question when Spring Training began was this: will Bryce Eldridge be on the Opening Day roster? A month later, the biggest question is this: will Bryce Eldridge be on the Opening Day roster? He hasn’t completely forced the issue: his strikeout rate of 32.4% leaves a bit to be desired. But my goodness has he looked impressive. The quality of the at-bats has been exceptional, and the loudness of his contact has been … well … loud. He’s even looked quite good at first base. The question of his Opening Day status still needs to be answered, but the question of how dynamic his bat can be sure does not.
Exit velocities(23 balls in play) Average EV: 97.0 (above the highest figure of 95.8) EV50: 106.6 (4th) Max EV: 115.6 (28th)
Encarnación’s spring has been a microcosm of his time with the Giants: absurdly hard contact that hasn’t really resulted in much. When you look at the batted ball data, you can see why the Giants remain enamored with him: four of his 23 balls in play have been 110+ mph, nine have been in triple figures, and 18 have been at least 90 mph. But with those hard-hit balls not translating in much damage, and with the players around him performing well, his path to the Opening Day roster is slipping. That said, he’s been coming alive in recent games, and is the player who is most negatively impacted by me publishing this article today, as he hit a home run in the team’s Wednesday game.
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 84.3 (387th) EV50: 93.0 (below the lowest figure of 93.6) Max EV: 103.1 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
There’s really no sugarcoating it: Fitzgerald has had an absolutely miserable spring. He’s mostly looked helpless, with swings-and-misses galore, and when he does make contact it’s been woefully soft. In 26 plate appearances, he’s only hit the ball harder than 85 mph five times. Unfortunately, there aren’t any bright spots to find — he’s been awful against the regulars, but very poor against the NRIs as well. The Giants have played him a little bit in the outfield, so he’s at least staying ready as a utility player on defense, should he re-find his mid-2024 bat.
Nate Furman
vs. regulars: 1-3, 1 home run, 2 walks, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 0-5, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 1-8, 1 double, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 2-4
Totals:4-20, 1 home run, 1 double, 4 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 7 strikeouts, .760 OPS, 102 wRC+
Also:2 stolen bases
Exit velocities(13 balls in play) Average EV: 88.9 (220th) EV50: 96.2(366th) Max EV: 102.5(below the lowest figure of 104.2)
Furman was perhaps the most surprising inclusion in the list of non-roster invitees this spring, but it speaks to how high the Giants are on his contact-oriented bat. Unfortunately, the upper-level talent has highlighted his inexperience a little bit. Furman has only played 21 AA games, and so it seems fitting that he went 2-4 with no strikeouts against fellow Minor Leaguers, and 2-16 with seven strikeouts against more experienced pitchers. That’s a far cry from the .369 average and 11.7% strikeout rate he had in the Minors last year.
Drew Gilbert
vs. regulars: 0-1, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 1-1 vs. NRIs: 2-6, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 0-4, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(9 balls in play) Average EV: 74.3 (below the lowest figure of 83.9) EV50: 89.2 (below the lowest figure of 93.6) Max EV: 106.9 (369th)
Nothing has gone right for Gilbert this spring. He entered camp as the favorite to win the fourth outfield role, but suffered a shoulder impingement and had to miss a good chunk of time. He only just returned on Tuesday, but as a designated hitter, as he hasn’t yet been cleared to throw. When he has been on the field, he’s been unable to do damage, with very soft contact all around. He’ll play a big role on the Giants this year, but it’s looking unlikely that he’s standing on the chalk at Oracle Park on March 25.
Eric Haase
vs. regulars: 1-6, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-4, 1 home run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 0-3, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 3-9, 1 home run, 5 strikeouts
Also:5 stolen bases allowed, 2-for-4 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(11 balls in play) Average EV: 84.8 (378th) EV50: 99.1 (271st) Max EV: 105.3 (383rd)
Haase entered camp needing to make a strong case for himself if he wanted to win the backup catcher role. Unfortunately, he’s struggled to do that. While his OPS and wRC+ are fine thanks to his pair of home runs, it’s been a tough go of it for him this spring. He’s just 2-13 against non-Minor Leaguers, and is sporting a strikeout rate that is dangerously close to 50%. Despite the tie for the team lead in home runs, his batted ball data has been fairly grim. It certainly looks like he’ll be the third catcher, starting the year in AAA.
vs. regulars: 2-9, 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 2-8, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 1-3, 1 home run, 1 walk vs. MiLBs: 1-2, 1 walk, 1 sac fly
Totals:6-22, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 1 sac fly, 5 strikeouts, .801 OPS, 102 wRC+
Also:1 stolen base, 1 error, 1-for-2 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(17 balls in play) Average EV: 94.6 (5th) EV50: 103.6 (31st) Max EV: 111.8 (143rd)
Like Davidson, Harber came to camp hoping to impress his future coaches and teammates, and get comfortable at the level for the future. The rising star prospect has yet to experience life in AA, so an Opening Day spot was never up for grabs. But he has absolutely impressed. While big league regulars and 40-man pitchers have mostly gotten the better of him, his exit velocities have been as impressive as his reputation said they would be. A very successful first camp.
vs. regulars: 4-8, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 0-4 vs. NRIs: 2-9, 1 hit by pitch, 1 sac fly, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 1-4, 1 strikeout
Totals:7-25, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 1 sac fly, 4 strikeouts, .736 OPS, 81 wRC+
Exit velocities(22 balls in play) Average EV: 84.0 (388th) EV50: 95.6 (380th) Max EV: 108.7 (311th)
Holton came to the Giants with hopes of seeing a higher level of baseball. He was promoted to the Detroit Tigers AA affiliate late in the 2022 season … and never made it past that level, spending three consecutive full seasons at the level. He’s shown some things in camp with the Giants, including nice numbers against MLB regulars. But on the whole, he hasn’t made too much of an impression. The batted ball data has been quite poor … in 31 plate appearances, he has just three triple-digits balls in play. Not quite what you hope for out of a first baseman, but Holton has shown some strong contact skills, and should make good depth in AAA.
Buddy Kennedy
vs. regulars: 0-4, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 0-3, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 5-11, 2 home runs, 1 triple, 1 sac fly, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 1-2
Exit velocities(17 balls in play) Average EV: 86.6 (343rd) EV50: 95.2 (383rd) Max EV: 103.0 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
After many thousands of words, we finally get to a player who highlights why I track this data. Kennedy is having an awesome spring, as an OPS that doesn’t start with a decimal point suggests. But he’s done that damaage exclusively against pitchers who aren’t on Major League rosters: he’s 6-13 with three extra-base hits and just one strikeout against such pitchers, while hitting just 0-7 with three strikeouts against rostered arms. And that’s one of the reasons why he’ll be in AAA when the season begins.
vs. regulars: 1-6, 2 walks, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 1-3, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 2-4, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch vs. MiLBs: 2-4
Totals:6-17, 5 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts, .875 OPS, 154 wRC+
Also:1 caught stealing
Exit velocities(15 balls in play) Average EV: 87.1 (327th) EV50: 99.6 (232nd) Max EV: 104.4 (387th)
Koss also has performed much worse against the rostered pitchers, but it’s notable that he’s had a good chunk of playing time against them. It certainly seems that the current coaching staff values him as much as the previous one did, and that the front office still loves him. The numbers aren’t exciting, but he’s done nothing to suggest he’s lost his spot on the active roster. He’s missed a little time, but thankfully not due to injury: instead, due to his wife giving birth! Congratulations to the whole family.
Jung Hoo Lee
vs. regulars: 1-3 vs. 40-mans: 1-5 vs. NRIs: 1-1 vs. MiLBs: 2-3, 1 triple
Totals:5-12, 1 triple, 1.000 OPS, 157 wRC+
Also:2 outfield assists
Exit velocities (11 balls in play) Average EV: 91.6 (50th) EV50: 99.6 (232nd) Max EV: 105.8 (380th)
We didn’t get to see much of Lee before he departed for the WBC, but what we did see was right on brand: he came to the plate 11 times, and 11 times he put the ball in play. Most noteworthy for Lee this spring is that he looked comfortable in right field, and that the Giants still used him as a backup in center field.
Luis Matos
vs. regulars: 3-9, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 hit by pitches, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 1-6, 1 home run, 1 hit by pitch vs. NRIs: 3-8, 1 home run vs. MiLBs: 1-5, 1 double
Totals:9-28, 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 3 hit by pitches, 1 strikeout, 1.013 OPS, 159 wRC+
Also:1 stolen base
Exit velocities(27 balls in play) Average EV: 91.1 (76th) EV50: 101.5 (114th) Max EV: 110.0 (247th)
Matos entered camp needing a lot to go his way to break camp with the team. So far a lot has gone his way. Gilbert has been mediocre and injured, while Encarnación has not played up to his potential. And most importantly, Matos has played wonderfully, with an average in the 300s, an on-base percentage in the 400s, and a slugging percentage in the 600s. He’s done it against all levels of talent, and certainly is making a strong case that the Giants should keep him on the Opening Day roster, rather than losing him on waivers.
vs. regulars: 2-6, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 0-3, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 2-8, 1 home run, 3 walks, 1 sac fly, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 1-5, 1 walk
Totals:5-22, 1 home run, 6 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 1 sac fly, 4 strikeouts, .764 OPS, 108 wRC+
Exit velocities(19 balls in play) Average EV: 87.1 (327th) EV50: 103.5 (32nd) Max EV: 108.5 (320th)
It’s been something of a funny spring for McCray, who has been making his mark by drawing free passes, which is not his usual way of doing business (in his Major League career he has a sky-high 42.9% strikeout rate, and just a 5.1% walk rate). He’s looked comfortable against all levels of pitchers, and has shown some pop: six of his 19 balls in play have been hit at at least 105 mph. He’s certainly in play for an Opening Day spot, though not the favorite.
vs. regulars: 4-11, 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-4, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 3-8, 1 double, 3 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 1-1
Totals:9-24, 2 doubles, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 7 strikeouts, .903 OPS, 143 wRC+
Also:7 stolen bases, 1 caught stealing, 0-for-1 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 86.1 (356th) EV50: 97.8 (324th) Max EV: 109.4 (282nd)
Oliva has certainly impressed this spring, and it’s notable that he’s done well against MLB regulars. But as a 30-year old non-roster invitee, it seems that he is destined to begin the year in AAA. But he’s opened eyes — seven stolen bases! — and I fully expect to see him on the roster at some point this year.
Logan Porter
vs. regulars: n/a vs. 40-mans: n/a vs. NRIs: 0-3, 1 hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 0-1
Totals:0-4, 1 hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts, .200 OPS, -25 wRC+
Also:2 runners thrown out, 1 stolen base allowed, 0-for-1 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(2 balls in play) Average EV: 77.1 (below the lowest figure of 83.1) EV50: n/a Max EV: 84.4 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
Like Cartaya, Porter isn’t in camp with the opportunity to win a job. He’s there because they need lots of catchers, and so he can build rapport and familiarity with the pitchers for when he’s inevitably added to the roster sometime during the season when the team is dealing with injuries.
Heliot Ramos
vs. regulars: 3-5, 1 home run, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch vs. 40-mans: 2-4, 1 hit by pitch, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 2-2, 1 double vs. MiLBs: n/a
Totals:7-11, 1 home run, 3 doubles, 1 walk, 2 hit by pitches, 1 strikeout, 1.896 OPS, 371 wRC+
Exit velocities(10 balls in play) Average EV: 96.5 (above the highest mark of 95.8) EV50: 105.2(7th) Max EV: 107.7 (350th)
We only saw a brief bit of Ramos and his bleached hair before he headed off to help Puerto Rico in the WBC, but what we saw was electric. He had four extra-base hits in 14 plate appearances, with all four coming against right-handed pitchers, and three going to the opposite field. Half of the balls he put in play were hit at 102.6 mph or harder, and he made no foibles in the field or blunders on the bases. And he did all of that without facing any players on loan from Minor League camp.
Jesús Rodríguez
vs. regulars: 1-6, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 2-6, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 4-9, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 1-1
Exit velocities(18 balls in play) Average EV: 93.0 (19th) EV50: 101.0 (140th) Max EV: 105.7 (381st)
It speaks to Rodríguez’s consistency that his average EV is so high, when his EV50 is more middle of the pack, and his max EV is near the very bottom. He just reliably hits the ball with decent, but not overwhelming velocity. The young catcher — who has also played second base and left field this spring — has shown why the Giants are enamored with his contact skills, but has also displayed that he’s probably not quite ready for the Majors. It doesn’t really feel like he’s been given a shot to win a roster spot.
Exit velocities(24 balls in play) Average EV: 89.3 (196th) EV50: 100.0 (204th) Max EV: 109.3 (284th)
It’s been a mild-mannered spring for Schmitt, but it’s clear how the organization feels about him. His splits are less about how he’s performed, and more about how much he’s performed: 24 of his 31 plate appearances have come against rostered pitchers. The Giants, it seems, view Schmitt as a starter who has just been forced into a bench role by better options. And while the numbers haven’t been particularly good, they haven’t been concerning, either.
Daniel Susac
vs. regulars: 0-7, 4 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-1 vs. NRIs: 4-10, 1 double, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 2-4, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 91.4 (55th) EV50: 104.6 (11th) Max EV: 108.8 (309th)
It’s been a spring of good and bad for Susac. On the one hand, his offensive numbers have been fairly pedestrian (though the would have been better had one of his doubles been correctly ruled a home run), and he’s been downright awful against rostered pitchers. On the other hand, he’s absolutely blistered the ball: seven of his 16 balls in play have exceeded 102 mph. He’s had baserunners take bags from him effectively, and been a bit of a mess with the challenge system, but he’s otherwise looked good defensively. Ultimately, Susac entered camp as the favorite to win the backup catcher job, and it sure looks like he’s going to do exactly that. That makes it a good spring for the Rule 5 pick.
Minor Leaguers
There’s no use doing full write-ups for the players on loan from Minor League camp, but here’s how they’ve done at the plate:
Maui Ahuna: 1-1, 1 double Rod Barajas Jr.: 0-1 Trevor Cohen:1 walk Jonah Cox: 0-2, 1 strikeout Josuar González: 1-3, 1 strikeout Dakota Jordan: 0-2, 1 strikeout Gavin Kilen:0-1, 1 walk Lorenzo Meola: 1 walk Jean Carlos Sio: 2-5, 1 home run, 1 strikeout
No "cautious optimism" needed here as Austin Hays is officially dialed in. | (David Durochik/Getty Images)
The White Sox dropped their second straight, this time 8-4 to the Angels. The bats showed up early, but the South Siders’ issues with stranding runners (2-for-18) continued. Their 4-0 early lead was gone in a blink, as the Halos rattled off eight straight runs and left the Sox staring at an 11-9 spring record.
The Good Guys got to Alek Manoah right out of the gate. Chase Meidroth took a walk, Colson Montgomery slapped a single, and then Austin Hays, still on his spring heater, drove a three-run shot to left. That’s three homers for Hays in the Cactus League. Enjoy it all now because if he keeps this up, he’s probably gone at the deadline.
Montgomery piled on in the third, yanking a 91.7 mph fastball 362 feet to right. 4-0 Sox, and for a fleeting moment, everything was feeling pretty good.
The wheels started to wobble in the fourth. Tristan Peters, fresh off robbing Logan O’Hoppe with a highlight-reel grab, doubled to start things off, and Korey Lee followed with a single. Lee’s all but punched his ticket to the roster with Kyle Teel out, and he’s been one of the few bright spots this spring. But with the bases juiced, Meidroth and Montgomery fizzled, and the Sox let the Angels right back in the door.
Anthony Kay did his job: four innings, one earned, four punchouts. But the bullpen? Not so much. Jo Adell finally broke through with a 469-foot moonshot in the fourth, but the real meltdown was still to come in the sixth.
Rule 5 flyer Alexander Alberto lit up the radar gun at 100, but couldn’t find the zone. Walk, stolen base, two straight singles, and suddenly the Angels were breathing down Chicago’s neck. Jake Palisch came in to put out the fire and instead handed Oswald Peraza the game-tying knock.
The Sox had a golden chance in the sixth, facing Angels blue-chipper Tyler Bremner making his debut. Bremner looked every bit the rookie, walking Lee and Oliver Dunn to open the inning. But the Good Guys went limp: Benintendi froze for strike three, then Meidroth and Montgomery rolled over. Another rally, dead on arrival.
The Halos took the lead for good in the seventh, teeing off on Tyler Gilbert with a Chris Taylor homer and back-to-back triples. The defense didn’t help matters, either, as Jason Matthews threw away two balls at third in the ninth, gifting the Angels an extra run.
The South Siders went down quietly in their half of the ninth. Jacob Gonzalez tried to get things going with a leadoff base hit, but the Sox quickly fizzled out, never threatening a real comeback.
The White Sox get another shot tomorrow night in Scottsdale, squaring off with the Giants under the lights. First pitch at 8:05 PM CT. Ryan Borucki takes the ball for the Good Guys, looking to keep his spotless spring rolling against a Giants squad steamrolling at 14-3.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Cole Young #2 of the Seattle Mariners bats during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on February 23, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you take out the eight runs given up by Casey Lawrence in the final three innings, this game is a decisive win for the Mariners, and I invite you to live in that reality instead of this one, where the Mariners lose 11-7 to the Colorado Rockies, which even in Spring Training, feels embarrassing. But let us focus on some individual strong performances today: a solid start from Luis Castillo in his third spring tuneup, a great day by Cole Young, and some very strong performances from the bullpen.
Castillo got some of his signature Houdini moves out of the way early in this one. Leadoff hitter Tyler Freeman singled on Castillo’s second pitch of the game and then immediately stole second, advancing to third on an overthrow by Mitch Garver to put a runner on third with no outs. Despite a walk to Charlie Condon, Castillo was able to wiggle out of trouble with an easy popout, a strikeout on the slider, and a flyout to deny the Rockies a high-percentage-chance score.
Unfortunately Castillo’s occasional homer problem also cropped up in this game, with Adael Amador dropping the barrel on a 93.4 mph fastball right in the lefty loop zone for a solo homer to lead off the second. Castillo was able to cap the damage there, however, despite a Nicky Lopez double.
The Mariners got that run right back for Castillo in the bottom of the inning. J.P. Crawford looped an opposite field single (a beautiful sentence, that) and Cole Young drove him home on an opposite-field double, a very satisfying pair of hits.
Connor Joe then drove a pitch right back at Rockies starter Chase Dollander, using that up-the-middle approach he’s been showing off this spring and both getting a double out of it and scoring Young from second to give the Mariners a 2-1 advantage.
But the Rockies continued to swing it against Castillo, who dealt with runners in scoring position in every inning. Brett Sullivan doubled on a slider in the third, eventually coming around to score on a sacrifice fly to tie up the game.
Chase Dollander had some command issues in the third, hitting Refsnyder and Garver, neither of whom were happy about it (Garver had the stronger complaint about it, getting 97 right on the back). A wild pitch moved them both into scoring position, and then J.P. Crawford checked in with yet another opposite-field hit to score Refsnyder. Cole Young then took 98.5 right back where it came from, smoking an RBI single at 105.8 mph right up the middle over the second baseman’s head to double up the lead on the Rockies, 4-2.
Luis Castillo pitched to one batter in the fourth inning, getting Amador—who had homered earlier—to ground out, and then José Ferrer took over. Ferrer looked nasty, striking out the two hitters he faced.
In the fifth we got to see our first Matt Brash appearance of the spring. Brash, whose slider command looked a little wonky, got a pair of soft-contact lineouts before the third one dropped for a base hit. Dan Wilson then brought in Carlos Vargas and Charlie Condon greeted him rudely, turning on a sinker well inside and just muscling it down the left-field line for an RBI double. That was poor luck, but walking Troy Johnston on five pitches was bad process. To his credit, Vargas was able to bounce back and strike out Braxton Fulford, which is not a name of a baseball player but a company that sells commemorative plates, getting him swinging after a 96 mph cutter up.
The Mariners were able to add a run in the sixth, thanks to Colt Emerson smoking a line-drive single and then stealing second base. Rhylan Thomas then drove him home on a double. But the Rockies struck right back against Casey Lawrence in the seventh, tagging him for three runs on some hard contact and giving the Rockies a 6-5 advantage.
One of those runs had come thanks to an error on new shortstop Brock Rodden, and the normally sure-handed Brockstar made up for it in the seventh by sending a Brocket to the moon for a game-tying solo home run. Because he is secretly very selfish and look-at-me and not the nice humble scion of Pittsburgh he pretends to be*, Cole Young immediately trumped that with a majestic moonshot of his own that made me say “jeebus” out loud in the press box. 108.7 off the bat! Cole Young is a power hitter, tell your friends.
*this is A Joke do not come for meCole Cultists
That’s a three-hit day for Cole Young this afternoon here in Peoria — all of them loud.
Unfortunately, Casey Lawrence couldn’t stop the onslaught of runs from the Rockies B-squad. He gave up a three-run tank in the eighth to put the Rockies up 9-7, and another two-run shot in the ninth to put the game well out of reach, and that’s all that needs to be said about that. Just watch the Cole Young homer a few more times.
Other notes:
Colt Emerson got the start at third today and made a solid catch on a sun ball in the first. In the third, he made a nice charging play on a slow-rolling (58.2 EV) grounder to get the runner at first.
Victor Robles worked a walk in the first inning, which is very good to see. He did get thrown out running from first to third on a single, which was less good, but it was nice to see Victor flying around the bases again.
Rob Refsnyder checked in with a solid base hit off righty Chase Dollander, whose name I promise I only said like Ilya saying “Hollander” a couple of times to myself in the press box.
Michael Arroyo, freshly returned from the WBC, got into the game in the sixth, playing in left field. He didn’t get to do much at the plate because he had to wait a while to get a turn to bat, and then in his second at-bat he got hit square in the back with a pitch. He got a challenge in LF in the eighth inning, but wasn’t able to reel in what would have been a very very tough catch on a ball slicing quickly to his right. He made a good effort though!
In the sixth, Cole Young made a play where he had to go to his right, which was a problem for him last year, and although it was routine, it came off the bat at 107 mph and he fielded the ball cleanly and made a solid throw to first. He then made a similar, even more difficult play like that in the seventh, ranging even further to his right and making a nice cross-body throw. This has been a problem for Young in the past so it’s good to see.
Yosver Zulueta pitched another scoreless inning, adding another two strikeouts, and continues to be quietly very good this spring.
Connor Joe tripled in the home run parade of the seventh but was stranded at third. The ball came off his bat at 102.3 mph for another hard-hit ball from Joe, who is just smacking the ball around this spring in a way his ice-blue Statcast sliders would belie. I talked to Joe today a little about how he’s liking Mariner camp and what he feels like he might have unlocked here so keep an eye out for that soon-ish.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Craig Yoho (48) is shown in the bullpen during the ninth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday, September 1, 2025 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Brewers dropped their second straight spring game Wednesday afternoon, dropping back below .500 at 8-9. The Reds attacked early, scoring four runs off starter Robert Gasser in the 6-3 win.
After Sal Frelick started the day striking out at the hands of Andrew Abbott, Andrew Vaughn walked, and Gary Sánchez followed with a two-run homer to make it 2-0 quickly. The Brewers were able to get another pair of runners in the form of singles by Luis Rengifo and David Hamilton, but Abbott struck out two more to get out of the inning without further damage.
Gasser also started his day with a strikeout, but Matt McLain followed with his fifth homer of the spring to cut the lead in half. Tyler Stephenson doubled but was stranded there as Milwaukee led 2-1 after an inning.
In the second, Milwaukee’s youngsters Luis Lara and Jesús Made both singled, but Lara was picked off at second, and Frelick grounded into a double play to end the threat.
Noelvi Marte led off the second with another homer off Gasser, and two batters later, Jose Trevino added to the home run party to make it 3-2.
After a scoreless third, the Reds tacked on two more in the bottom of the inning, as Gasser gave up a single before striking out the next two. Jesús Broca replaced him and promptly allowed a walk and a two-run double to extend Cincinnati’s lead to 5-2 after three.
Both teams traded scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth, including a caught stealing at home by the Brewers’ defense — the Reds tried to execute a double steal from first and third, but Milwaukee cut McLain down between third and home.
The Brewers tacked on a third run via a Reese McGuire homer in the sixth, his first of the spring. Lara was then hit by a pitch but proceeded to be picked off for the second time on the basepaths.
The Reds added one more run on a pair of singles and a double in the eighth, bringing this one to a 6-3 final.
It wasn’t a great day for the Crew, but there were a few bright spots. Sánchez went 2-for-3 with a homer, and McGuire added a homer of his own. Eight Brewers totaled nine hits on the day, and they also added five walks.
On the mound, Gasser struggled through 2 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Jared Koenig, Trevor Megill, Grant Anderson, and Craig Yoho combined to hold Cincinnati to no runs from the fourth through the seventh, with Megill and Yoho each striking out a pair.
The Brewers are back in action tomorrow as they have their first night game of the spring. They’ll visit the Cleveland Guardians, with first pitch set for 8:05 p.m. CT.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 23: A general view during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Friday, February 23, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images
Record 8-11. Change on 2025: -0.5. 5-inning record: 4-13-2.
A new record-holder for the worst margin of defeat this spring, the Arizona pitching staff giving up 14 hits and two walks. To be fair, there were four unearned runs, resulting from errors by Pavin Smith and Kevin Ginkel. But even nine earned runs… is not good. Philip Abner was the only pitcher to go an inning without allowing an earned run. Elsewhere, it was more or less rough outings all over the place. Thomas Hatch allowed five runs over two innings, while both Ryan Thompson and Ginkel gave up two. Ryne Nelson ended up – with the help of some up/downs – going 3.1 innings, and was charged with three runs on two hits (both homers) and a walk. He did strike out four.
The Diamondbacks actually took the lead, on Ildemaro Vargas’s debut home-run of spring in the first inning, and added a second in the second, after loading the bases with no outs. Junior Franco’s groundout scored Aramis Garcia with the second run. But a messy double-play – first baseman to second baseman to catcher to pitcher to second baseman to shortstop Jacob Wilson to first baseman, Óscar Mercado out at home – summed up the day. Arizona managed only five hits and two walks, with a pair of knocks for Vargas. Corbin Carroll, in his hamate-less return, went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. But he’s back, and that’s the main thing.
Tomorrow, it’s the Rockies at Salt River Fields, though it is theoretically a “road” game for the Diamondbacks. Taylor Clarke is the scheduled starting pitcher.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 06: Jonathan Aranda #8 of the Mexico celebrates with teammates after a three run home run in the eighth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Mexico and Great Britain at Daikin Park on March 06, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jays @ Yankees is starting now.
Lineups:
Today’s Lineups
BLUE JAYS
YANKEES
Myles Straw – CF
Trent Grisham – CF
Nathan Lukes – DH
Randal Grichuk – LF
Jesus Sanchez – RF
Cody Bellinger – 1B
Eloy Jimenez – LF
Giancarlo Stanton – DH
Brandon Valenzuela – C
Jazz Chisholm – 2B
Rafael Lantigua – 2B
Jose Caballero – SS
Sean Keys – 1B
Ryan McMahon – 3B
Arjun Nimmala – SS
Oswaldo Cabrera – RF
Charles McAdoo – 3B
Ali Sanchez – C
Eric Lauer – LHP
Cam Schlittler – RHP
So, if Mexico wins and scores 4 or fewer runs, the US is out. So ummm, Go Mexico Go…but don’t go too much. Just go enough. 1-0 wins are great.
Italy has Aaron Nola starting. He had a rough year for the Phillies last year.
Javier Assad for Mexico, he made 7 starts for the Cubs last year.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Tatsuya Imai #45 of the Houston Astros looks on prior to a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tatsuya Imai said a small adjustment has helped him find more velocity this spring:
The Astros' Tatsuya Imai explained a small change he made that helped him find more velocity (fastball hit 98.5 mph) in another impressive spring start https://t.co/I7yap0zkYR via @houstonchron
SP Cristian Javier will be away from the team for a few days due to a personal matter:
Pitcher Cristian Javier, expected to be part of starting rotation, will be out of spring training for a few days because of a personal matter. https://t.co/Bc97Ep6KiB
Good stuff from Lance McCullers Jr. breaking down his outing and where he stands with Opening Day a little more than two weeks away pic.twitter.com/1DUAMzDDCe
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 6: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees warms up before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 6, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Spring training rolls on tonight as the Yankees host the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The Yankees send Cam Schlittler to the bump for his second appearance of the spring. Schlittler was brilliant in his first outing after being delayed by back inflammation and a lat issue, striking out four batters in 2.1 innings of work. Rust, injury, or caution aside, Schlittler still hit 99 mph with his four-seamer while throwing 39 pitches. Predict Cam’s final pitch count tonight in the comments for a shoutout in the recap.
Toronto is scheduled to send left-hander Eric Lauer to the mound. Lauer went 9–2 for the Blue Jays last season, making 15 starts and appearing in 28 games. He enters tonight looking to improve his early spring numbers, which have been rough in the early going.
On the offensive side, let’s pay special attention to how Jasson Randal Grichuk handles the lefty. With so many regulars scattered across World Baseball Classic rosters, the Yankees have been able to give extended looks to younger and fringe players this spring. Those extra opportunities are starting to disappear, though, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. and José Caballero have returned to camp from their respective national teams and find themselves in the lineup tonight.
How to Watch
Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, FL
First pitch: 6:35 p.m. EDT
TV broadcast: YES Network, Sportsnet 360, MLB Network (out-of-market)
Peoria, AZ - February 23: Freddy Fermin #54 of the San Diego Padres runs to home plate during a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on February 23, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images) | K.C. Alfred
It wasn’t noticeable at the start of spring games but as the first couple weeks went on, the at-bats were adding up to a change in the hitting approach for the Friars. There has been a lot less chasing outside the zone for many of the regulars. Even the minor league depth players have had more quality at-bats.
It might surprise many to hear that catcher Freddy Fermin has more loud contact than any other regular currently on the San Diego Padres roster. Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. left too early to be a significant part of this discussion, but they have both distinguished themselves with the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team, making frequent loud contact while away.
Not only are these guys hitting the ball and hitting it hard, but they are also barreling up the ball much earlier than in previous spring progressions. Fermin is hitting .421/.421/.684 with a 1.105 OPS. He’s a bit of an outlier in that he has not walked at all in his 19 at-bats, but he has only struck out twice and has eight RBI.
Jake Cronenworth, in his 21 at-bats, is hitting .375/.444/.625 with a 1.069 OPS. He has one strikeout and three walks while hitting his homer to the opposite field for the first time in his career. The numbers aren’t reliable in the spring; we all know of players that killed it in Spring Training and were never heard from again. But the thing that stands out as you look at the regular lineup players, as well as most of the bench competitors, is that there are quality at-bats all over the team.
On base skills
1B/DH Gavin Sheets has struggled so far and is only hitting .200 but his OBP is .429 with eight walks in his 20 at-bats. Of all the regulars, the lowest OBP on the team is OF Ramon Laureano, who is hitting .386 but with a .318 OBP due to only having one walk and 10 strikeouts in his 21 at-bats. The other free swinger on the team, Jackson Merrill, is hitting .296 with a .345 OBP.
If you are curious, new Padre 1B/DH/OF Nick Castellanos has more walks than strikeouts (5/4) and is hitting .280 with a .419 OBP.
Bench competition
For those competing for bench/depth positions, the lowest OBP is Mason McCoy at .241 and he is followed by Bryce Johnson at .303. The best all-around performance so far belongs to Ty France with 27 at-bats and a .370/.433/.519 line with four doubles and five RBI. He has walked twice and struck out four times.
France is closely followed by Jose Miranda, who has tattooed the ball all spring. His batting average is slightly less at .367 with a .441 OBP and .600 slug. His OPS is the best of those in competition for a bench spot with 1.041 which is second on the team to, wait for it, Cronenworth at 1.069.
The eye test
I haven’t gone deep diving into strike zone analysis for the spring at-bats, but my eyes tell me the Padres, throughout the line up, have been much more disciplined this spring in sticking to the pitches in the zone. That might not be as true for the free-swingers like Merrill, Tatis Jr. and Laureano. But even they have shown more ability to lay off pitches out of the zone.
Driving the pitches that they are swinging at is also a highlight of the spring so far. Everyone except Sheets has at least one double, Cronenworth and Laureano have a triple each. Some of the long-ball numbers can be accounted for due to conditions in Arizona, especially when the wind is blowing out, but the exit velocities show the players are hitting the ball hard and with frequency.
Exit Velocity trends
Machado and Tatis Jr. frequently have the highest EV numbers on the team, Tatis had a 110.2 mph drive before he left for the WBC. In their absence, Campusano has a 108.4 mph hit, Sheets has one at 109 mph and Fermin has a 107.6 mph missile. Lots of outs and hits register mid to high 90s and low 100s consistently.
Offensive approach is the key
The sample size is small, and it is Arizona, but I like what I am seeing with this offense in the spring. The ballparks will be bigger with different conditions once the season begins in earnest. The cold early spring air through much of the country will definitely affect the end result.
While I hate to mention it, the Padres would do well to follow the example of the evil empire to the North. They don’t chase out of the zone often. They make solid, barrel on the ball contact in the zone. If new hitting coach Steven Souza Jr. has achieved anything in this young baseball season, it seems to be that the Padres are spitting on more pitches outside the zone and concentrating on driving the ball all over the field.
The K-rates are down, and extra-base hits are up. The frequency of working at-bats into long ordeals for the pitcher, often seeing eight to 12 pitch at-bats, is really noticeable. Being pesky, fouling off borderline pitches, taking walks and barreling up pitches in the zone is the offense I have been hoping to see for this team. They have been pretty successful at it this spring. Time will tell if they can carry that over into the regular season.
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) carries the ball as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jaden Davis (26) defends during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Happy opening day of free agency one and all.
The Arizona Cardinals heading into the 2026 Free Agency period have the following that should become official today when allowed:
OT Matt Pryor one-year deal
QB Gardner Minshew one-year deal
WR Kendrick Bourne two-year deal
G Isaac Seumalo three-year deal
RB Tyler Allgeier two-year deal
DL Roy Lopez two-year deal
Along with the moves that we know are official because they were re-signings for the team:
DT L.J. Collier one-year deal
P Blake Gillikin one-year deal
K Chad Ryland one-year deal
All of that and we are looking at the Cardinals still needing help at linebacker, offensive line, defensive line and probably the quarterback position.
However, the last one will probably not be addressed until 2027, which is fun to know that the team is looking at another tank job, the third in four seasons with Monti Ossenfort at the helm.
Let’s hope for some exciting movement today.
Arizona Cardinals bring back Bam Knight on one-year deal
Tarik Skubal’s plan was always to leave Team USA after one World Baseball Classic start. He wavered but ultimately never changed course. His responsibility to the Tigers meant more to him.
What wasn’t in the blueprint were social media comparisons to Benedict Arnold, the infamous military officer that swapped from the Americans to the British during the Revolutionary War.
Skubal doesn’t think the comparison is fair — he didn’t defect to another team, he was simply prioritizing his other duties.
Tarik Skubal allowed just one run in his only start with Team USA. Getty Images
“It’s just not fair,” Skubal said of the claims, per The Athletic. “But that’s part of the business. It’s part of the game. If they know me, though, on a personal level, and they know what my peers think of me, I don’t think it’s fair to say those things.
“This was always the plan, and as emotional or how much I wanted to (stay), it just didn’t make sense, given the timing,” he added about the reasoning behind his decision.
Skubal added that the criticism he received online didn’t affect his choice, citing they’re “created by people that don’t know me.”
His teammates, though, made a major impact. He mentioned that he talked to many of them to help make his decision, though he ultimately realized it wasn’t feasible to return.
“I was just trying to navigate all that information and then trying to create a plan,” Skubal said. “I just felt like I was trying to do too much. So I just kind of was, like, ‘OK, as bad as I want to do this, as bad as I want to get there and play, this was the plan from the jump.’”
Tarik Skubal has posted an ERA under 2.40 in both of the last two seasons. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
In his lone WBC start versus Great Britain, Skubal pitched three innings and allowed just one run, which came on a Nate Eaton leadoff homer. He struck out five and allowed just one more hit, paving the way for an easy 9-1 U.S. win.
But his ultimate responsibility is to the Tigers, who are vying to make a deep playoff run with one of the best rotations in baseball.
Besides Skubal, who’s won the last two American League Cy Young Awards, Detroit added Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander in the offseason and retained Casey Mize and Jack Flaherty.
If Skubal had decided to stay with Team USA through the WBC final — if it makes it — he would’ve only had nine days between then and his Opening Day start. He did say, however, that if the U.S. does advance that far, he’d try to come back to cheer on his teammates from the bench.
Does that really make him Benedict Arnold? Skubal sure doesn’t think so.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Cade Cavalli #24 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a spring training game at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After being named the Opening Day starter this morning, Cade Cavalli took the ball for the Nats in their Grapefruit League showdown with the Cardinals. He only went three innings in this one, but he looked impressive. Cavalli did not allow a hit and struck out two Cardinals, setting the tone for a strong afternoon for Nats pitchers.
Opening day starter Cade Cavalli getting ready to go for his start against the Cardinals this afternoon pic.twitter.com/8sS0uRooSq
Following his start, I actually got the chance to talk to Cade in the clubhouse. Cavalli said he was “Super honored” to be named the Opening Day starter. After missing two seasons due to injury, this was clearly a big moment for the 27 year old right hander. He told Jessica Camerato of MLB.com that the first person he called was his wife, before quickly texting the rest of his family.
Finding out he was the Opening Day starter was probably the highlight of Cavalli’s day, but he still had to go out and execute in the game. A big part of the success he had today was the sweeper, which he used 25% of the time, and half the time against right handed hitters.
Cavalli told me that he thinks the pitch will be “really good to righties and we can sprinkle it in to lefties to show them a different shape off of the curveball”. Last season, right handed hitters batted over .380 against Cavalli, and he is looking to change that. He said that, “Most hitters know I have a north to south curveball. If I can show something horizontal to them, I think it can help”.
Overall, it was a great day for Cavalli, who has faced a lot of trials and tribulations over the past few years. Now he is on the other side of that, and ready to be the high end starting pitcher the Nats envisioned when they drafted him in the first round.
Another pitcher who threw the ball well today was Brad Lord. He went three innings, allowing only one run. Lord was getting a ton of ground balls with his sinker. His changeup also looked great against left handed pitchers. Yesterday, he mentioned that he tweaked his grip on that pitch, and it looked nasty, particularly against Nolan Gorman, who swung through two of them.
Brad Lord was telling me about how he tweaked his changeup grip when he talked yesterday. He made Nolan Gorman look silly on back to back changeups to get a strikeout
Despite the solid outing, Lord was still not satisfied with himself. Manager Blake Butera said Lord was “Frustrated because in that last inning he has two outs with nobody on, and then he walks a guy who ends up scoring”. Lord is typically an even-keeled guy, who Butera described as quiet, but he could tell that the end to his outing bothered him.
On the offensive side of things, the Nats did not light up the score board, but did enough to win. One guy who is starting to heat up is Daylen Lile. At the beginning of the spring, he looked a bit rusty, but he has been finding his swing over the past week.
Daylen Lile started this spring slow but he is heating up as we close in on Opening Day
Butera figured this is what would happen, adding that “sometimes we get too caught up in stats during Spring Training”. Given the fact that the games do not count, and the whole point of this process is to get ready for the season, this is a take I agree with, though I can be guilty of falling into that trap at times. One thing that Butera does value is hitters finding their timing. He told me that, “sometimes it takes hitters a couple weeks to get their timing down. I think Daylen is just getting going now and he looks like Daylen”.
I think his point about timing is something to really consider. These guys can train as much as they want in the offseason, but there is no substitute for in-game reps. Sometimes pure hitters like Lile just need time to find that perfect swing. It seems like Lile has found it, and that is great for the Nats. He was such a spark for them in the second half.
The Nats got a lot of production from their first basemen as well in this game. Andres Chaparro got a hit, and hit the ball hard a couple times. Also, Abimelec Ortiz ripped a 110 MPH RBI double to give the Nats the lead. Ortiz started the spring slowly, but looks like he may be finding his footing.
Manager Blake Butera admitted the club has not settled on a starter at first base. He said that “At first base in general, we are pretty open minded on how this is going to work”. It also sounds like the Nats will experiment with a few different options throughout the season. He made sure to emphasize that the situation will be fluid and just because a guy starts the season at first base, it does not mean he will be the guy for all 162.
Overall, it was a nice and clean performance for the Nats. It has also been awesome to get all this access and get thoughts from the players and coaches. The Nats have been winning a lot this spring, but as we know, these games do not count. However, it seems like there is a good vibe to this group and we are seeing that manifest on the field.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 27: A view of an Apple TV microphone during the ninth inning between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Earlier today, we received some massive news regarding the Atlanta Braves and the new Braves.TV platform. Shortly after that news broke, we got some more important news on where to watch the Braves during the upcoming season. While the lion’s share of games will be on BravesVision, they also have to make room for nationally televised contests — and nationally streamed contests as well.
Apple TV is doing Friday Night Baseball for another season and they’ve announced their schedule through the month of June and the Braves are now set for three games that will be streaming-exclusive for that particular platform. We won’t have to wait long for the first game, as Atlanta’s road game against the Diamondbacks on April 3at 9:45 p.m. ET will be on Apple TV. Their only scheduled home game on Apple TV (as of right now) will take place on April 24 at 7:15 p.m. ET against the Phillies. After that, it’ll be a long wait between that game and the next Apple TV appearance for the Braves, as they’ll be playing a road game against the Mets on June 12at 7:15 p.m. ET.
Friday Night Baseball returns to @AppleTV this season!
Again as a reminder, you’ll have to sign up for Apple TV in order to have access to these games. To sum up the state of watching the Braves during the 2026 season, you’ll have to make sure you have access to the following platforms if you want to make sure you’ll have the ability to catch all 162 games:
BravesVision (or Braves.TV)
Fox Sports 1
TBS
ESPN (solely for the Little League Classic on August 23)
Peacock
Apple TV
I didn’t list NBC or FOX since technically you can have access to those broadcast networks for free. Good luck keeping up with all of that!
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Pitcher Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 18, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Insert GIF of The Rock yelling, “It doesn’t matter who you want to start Opening Day!”. Because, despite fans on the SnakePit being behind Ryne Nelson, by almost a 3-1 margin, we will instead be getting Zac Gallen on Opening Day, against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on March 26. This will be the fourth time in a row for Gallen, albeit this year, only because Merrill Kelly is unable to accept the honor initially given to him by Torey Lovullo. That ties Gallen with Brandon Webb for second on the franchise list of Opening Day starts by a pitcher, behind the six times Randy Johnson took the mound.
Though the results for Zac previously have been less than whelming: Gallen is 1-2, with a 6.59 ERA on previous Opening Days. That includes taking the loss in Dodger Stadium on Opening Day 2023: he allowed five runs over 4.2 innings, in an 8-2 loss. Mind you, Opening Days against the Dodgers have not historically gone very well for the D-backs. They have only one win in six attempts, and that came 25 years ago in 2001. Randy Johnson tossed seven innings of two-run ball in Los Angeles, and a two-run homer in the seventh by Luis Gonzalez proved the margin of victory in a 3-2 win for Arizona.
The Big Unit was actually only 3-2 on Opening Day, but he gave the team a quality start each and every one of the six games. The best record probably belongs to Ian Kennedy, who never started an Opening Day game the D-backs didn’t win. He got the W in two of his three, with the third going to extras before Arizona prevailed 7-6 in Denver. Webb was just 1-0 over his four starts, but the team ended up winning three of them. That included his final major-league outing in 2009, where he allowed six runs over four innings, but the D-backs still won, 9-8. In the end, I’d take that for Gallen in a couple of weeks: the team win is the thing.
