Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) plays his position against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets tied the Astros 6-6 in a spring training game yesterday. Jack Wenninger started the game and threw two scoreless innings, but it was a game to forget for the Mets’ pitching staff with 13 walks given up in total. Mike Tauchman began his Mets tenure with a bang, launching a three-run home run in his first at-bat. Ronny Mauricio followed that with a solo home run of his own two batters later, and the Mets were up 4-0 before the first inning had concluded. Marcus Semien doubled and scored on a Bo Bichette sacrifice fly, and A.J. Ewing drove in the final Met run of the game on a sacrifice fly of his own in the sixth inning.
After Juan Soto declared that he wants to try and beat Shohei Ohtani and win his first MVP, Thomas Harrigan broke down how he could accomplish such a Herculean feat.
In search of a breaking ball he can trust against lefties, Clay Holmes might dust off his curve.
After speaking about how Pete Alonso might come to feel after leaving the Mets, Darryl Strawberry has now walked those comments back.
MLB Pipeline gave a sneak preview of some prospects making their teams upcoming top 30 lists, and a Mets pitching prospect is on the list.
Around the National League East
Chris Sale has signed another extension with the Braves, a one-year. $27 million contract for 2027 with a $30 million club option for 2028.
In other Braves news, the Braves have announced a new television network: Braves Vision.
Around Major League Baseball
MLB Pipeline has listed five prospects already impressing in spring training.
After Tarik Skubal announced he would only be pitching in one World Baseball Classic game, Paul Skenes upped the ante and announced he would pitch in two.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. made his declaration about a bold goal in his sights, and there are more stars that can attempt for big accomplishments this year.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Linda Surovich took a look at fast-rising Mets’ prospect Jacob Reimer, who is in the major league camp to start spring training.
Chris on Chris: (Chris) McShane delved into the fun catching prospect (Chris) Suero, who flies around the basepaths.
Brian Salvatore attempted to answer whether repeated Mets acquisition Kevin Herget can stick around in the Mets bullpen.
This Date in Mets History
Partial 1986 Met Ed Lynch is celebrating his 70th birthday today.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Gavin Stone #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on February 24, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It had been 543 days since Gavin Stone last faced big league hitting, but on Tuesday he made his long-awaited return against the Cleveland Guardians.
Stone was only dealt one inning of work as he was handed the start, tossing 15 pitches while striking out a pair of hitters in a perfect first inning. Stone later spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA about his return to the mound, as he will be one of a plethora of young options for the back end of the starting rotation.
“That was awesome,” said Stone during the second inning of Tuesday’s contest. “Considering the whole rehab process, how long it took, the surgery that I had, it was amazing to finally get back out there and do what I love doing.”
“I saw poise, I saw command of the fastball, I saw a really good changeup, and he just competes,” said Roberts. “Good to see Gavin back there.”
Links
Dalton Rushing understands his role as the main back-up to Will Smith. Although he still needs to adjust from playing everyday in the minor leagues to getting infrequent opportunities at the highest level, he is set on trying to contribute in whatever way helps this season, writes Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
“The word this year is ‘produce,'” Rushing said. “I just want to produce for this team, whatever way that is, whether it means putting down a bunt in the eighth to get a runner over, or it means to hit a go-ahead double. Come up big in big situations, whatever way it is. I just want to help this team win.”
It was quite the whirlwind of an offseason for outfielder Michael Siani. After finishing the 2025 season within the St. Louis Cardinals system, he was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves at the start of the offseason, only to end up in a bidding war between the Dodgers and New York Yankees.
When the dust settled, Siani found himself at Camelback Ranch, and he is now looking to crack the Dodgers opening day roster. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register writes about Siani’s offseason, with the outfielder staying even keel after the flurry of moves involving his name.
“All 30 teams had a chance to grab me. Luckily, the Dodgers held on to me to this point. It gives you more motivation and makes you want to be successful… Listen – I signed up for it. This is what I want to do. It comes with it,” he said.
Chicago Cubs star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong had some choice words to say about Dodgers fans and their supposed lack of devotion during games. Jerry Hairston Jr. was quick to retort, noting how home games are usually packed on a nightly basis.
“Yes, the Cubs fans are great fans. But do you know who’s better? The Dodgers fans. Dodgers sell out every single night— packed, loud— and it’s going to be loud. In late April the Cubbies are going to be coming to Chavez Ravine, and I’m sure Dodgers fans will ‘welcome’ PCA.”
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Isbel won’t feel much difference in straightaway center field. However, there will be some adjustments made in the gaps. He will have new angles and routes to track down the baseball. It’s something he is prepared to learn. Still, it won’t change his mentality to aggressively track the baseball in the air.
“It’s still a big field,” Isbel said. “They didn’t really touch center field for the most part. So it’s really the same. I think it’s gonna maybe have less triples — more than anything — with the lines being a little more brought in.”
“He had a really good slider working for him, and I knew that he got Carter [Jensen] on three in a row,” Caglianone said. “So when I got 0-2, I was like, ‘Wouldn’t be surprised if he went to that again,’ but I also still stayed on the heater. Thankfully, I got one just up enough to put a good swing on it.”
Touching 96 mph is a nice goal and everything, but I feel like it’s important to note that Falter has topped 95 mph with his fastballs just twice in his major league career. He did it one time last season, on a sinker, right before he was traded to Kansas City. Of course, all these guys are looking to add velocity these days…and visiting different pitching labs and training facilities with their own coaches to find that edge that will get them a tick more. Especially guys who know they are fighting for a spot on the club and the rotation. This will be an interesting development to monitor going forward.
Nothing was in the middle. Last year, after the break, it felt like he was either missing big out of the zone or leaving a pitch right in the middle of the plate to get crushed. I think if my math is right, he’ll make one more start in Royals camp before leaving for the WBC, though I may be off on that, depending on how the Royals set that up. But I’ll be curious to watch the command and that slider in his next outing. It’s easy to lament giving him $20 million per year for the next two, and it would hurt if he pitches like he did in August again, but if he can give the Royals even just league average for 175 innings per year, that’s a reasonable cost to pay for that.
And Witt’s drive to improve is relentless. J.J. Picollo, the head of baseball operations for the Royals, wrote in a text, “[Witt] is so easy to deal with because he takes such good care of himself that we have little-to-no concern. More of what we discuss with him is how we can keep him fresh and strong throughout the season.
“Some of the finer points of base stealing are things that are always being discussed, but he is clearly a very good baserunner.”
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Jordan Beck #27 of the Colorado Rockies greets manager Warren Schaeffer #4 as teams are announced on the opening day of Spring Training games at Salt River Fields on Friday, February 20, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper)
After playing in 148 games and slashing .258/.317/.416 with 16 home runs for the Colorado Rockies last season, Jordan Beck’s main takeaway concerned his health and physique.
“Just how to take care of your body,” he said. “I mean, you have an idea, I guess. We’d still play the minor leagues 140 games, but 160 is almost an extra month. So just staying locked in and realizing that you guys stay still on top of it that last month or so too. I think that’s a pretty big deal.”
The rigors of the regular season took their toll on a young, inexperienced Rockies team. Playing his first full season at the big league level, Beck was not immune to wear and tear and ended up slashing just .213/.247/.326 in the last month of the season with 31 strikeouts.
But the effort to make sure he stays healthy and productive throughout the year didn’t necessarily demand an entirely new offseason training program. Rather, Beck sees it as a change in mentality and approach.
“I wouldn’t say I necessarily changed a whole lot,” he said. “I think it’s just more like, when you come in and you get to the point where, ‘hey, the body’s hurt’ and you’re banged up a little bit, just knowing how to attack it. Still get in the weight room and do what you have to do, but not overdoing it.”
Not overdoing it seems to be a theme for the 2026 Rockies under manager Warren Schaeffer. The club has delayed start times during spring training to ensure players are rested and ready to attack the carefully laid-out schedule before them. There is an emphasis on making sure players have what they need individually to better themselves, while making sure they are healthy and ready for the regular season.
Beck, the 38th overall pick of the 2022 draft, rose quickly through the Rockies’ system, making a rushed debut in 2024. Despite a sizzling bat in Triple-A Albuquerque, Beck struggled in his short time with the Rockies before a broken wrist derailed his season and sapped his power potential.
He got a full run in 2025 and cemented himself as an everyday player for Schaeffer in the outfield. Beck had to learn and develop on the job, both at the plate and in the spacious ground a left fielder is required to cover at Coors Field.
There are hints of what Beck can do for the Rockies’ lineup. He led the team with 19 stolen bases and 43 walks. He also finished second on the team in doubles (27) and runs scored (62), while tying for second in triples (5). Beck ended third in homers (16) and fourth in RBI (53).
While it ended up being a fairly solid season for him, there is still a major theme Beck and the Rockies are hoping to improve for 2026: consistency.
Consistency in the positive sense eluded the Rockies last season. A prime example for Beck was in the power department. After slugging three home runs in a doubleheader on April 24th and two more in a game at home on April 25th, it looked like Beck had found his power stroke. Unfortunately, the long ball made rare appearances the rest of the season as he averaged two home runs a month from May through September.
While the power may have lacked, Beck dabbled with impressive marks in other categories. He managed a .291 AVG against left-handed pitching and was a menace at Coors Field, where he hit .303/.348/.466 with 18 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 76 games. He also turned in a spectacular month of July by batting .314/.359/.442 with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, eight RBIs and two stolen bases.
However, Beck hit just .248/.309/.393 against righties and struggled to a .204/.280/.355 slashline on the road. Additionally, while his 29.6% strikeout rate was an improvement on his 2024 numbers, it’s still high; and he had a 31.2% whiff rate.
It’s these types of issues that have prompted the Rockies to overhaul the front office and coaching staff to work on getting the most out of their players. Rather than a cookie-cutter approach, the new staff is meeting players where they are and looking to improve from there, something Beck is appreciative of.
“I mean, there’s a lot, but at the same time, just go out there and be me,” he said. “I think that there’s being comfortable and letting the staff let you know, ‘hey, we like what you do. You go be you out there, and we’ll figure it out and hone skills from there.’”
But Beck and other players are eager to have the discussions about improvement and how to get better as players.
“Well, it’s been great. [It] feels like they’ve got full reins to coach and be able to get us to get better,” he said. “To be honest, I felt like this is new for us, but it’s also good because I think a lot of us want to get better, and [we’re] finding different ways to get better, and I think there’s a lot of different approaches now to try and get better.”
Beck is already getting a taste of the team’s desire for adaptability and change. In his three Cactus League starts, he has started in right field. After playing the majority of his games in left field last season, Schaeffer feels it’s most ideal to move Beck to right with the addition of speedy outfielder Jake McCarthy to play the spacious expanse. While Beck is more than capable of covering all three outfield positions, the move should not only preserve him physically but also better utilize his abilities on both sides of the ball.
As a goal-oriented individual, Beck’s motives boil down to a simple foundation in 2026.
“I think everybody’s got the same goal: just stay healthy and then get into the season, get ready to play and win some games.”
As for the expectations for himself?
“Kinda do everything you can do to get the most out of yourself.”
If Beck can find his consistency and achieve his goals, the Rockies are in for a treat.
I found this article interesting, not so much that I believe the club should bring Beeks back, but it does bring to mind that the Rockies could still make moves in spring training to improve the roster. Though the bullpen still seems set, unless something notable comes together or someone gets injured.
Feb 20, 2026; Sarasota, Florida, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) prepares to take batting practice before the start of the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Welcome to Wacky Wednesday with Washington. Was that just an excuse for dumb alliteration? Well, we’ll weather such worries whenever Will Warren weighs in.
OK fine, now I’m done, but only to a certain extent. For today’s prompt, we want to be a little less serious and just consider what the funniest possible outcome for the Yankees’ 2026 season might be. This could be either “positive” funny, like Trent Grisham randomly popping off for 34 homers last year after nearly being non-tendered, or “negative” funny, like Jasson Domínguez finally getting a starting outfield shot and then doing … whatever the hell he was doing on defense in 2025. Feel free to get creative! I would personally love it if Jake Bird because a vital bullpen piece after being almost completely written off after his rapid post-Trade Deadline implosion in 2025. Or in a more outlandish world, if Luis Gil and Austin Wells decided to write a Todd-esque rock opera.
Today on the site, Andrés will delve into why he’s excited to watch 2024 first-rounder Ben Hess develop this year. We’ll also have Sam celebrating Paul O’Neill’s 63rd birthday (yowza), Jeremy previewing Ryan McMahon’s first full season in pinstripes since coming over from the Rockies at the 2025 Trade Deadline, and Peter previewing the ever-rebuilding Nationals. Lastly, prospect specialist Nolan Rabine bids a fond farewell to Pinstripe Alley with a final look at the prospects he’s most looking forward to watching from the metaphorical PSA sidelines in 2026.
One umpire had five calls consecutively overturned by the automated ball-strike challenge system during Tuesday’s Pirates-Red Sox Grapefruit League spring training game in Fort Myers, Fla.
Home plate umpire Mitch Trzeciak must have been red in the face when a number of his calls were challenged and overturned. But he later earned himself a sarcastic cheer when one call was upheld by ABS.
You think YOU'VE had a bad day??
Here's 5 Consecutive Calls overturned by ABS challenges.
It started in the first inning when Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez challenged a ball call on a pitch from Carmen Mlodzinski, and the ABS review very clearly showed the ball was a strike and went essentially right down the middle.
Mitch Trzeciak had a tough day behind the plate. Baseball Quotes, /X
NESN play-by-play man Tom Caron couldn’t help but point out the obvious error by saying, “And that one, kind of right down the middle.”
Caron continued to point out the rough day that Trzeciak was having during the broadcast.
One of the overturned calls during Tuesday’s Red Sox-Pirates game. Baseball Quotes, /X
“You’ve missed two, and one was right down the middle, and one was two inches outside, and you’re like, ‘Alright, I’m having a bad day, and everybody knows it,'” Caron said later on in the broadcast.
In the end, Trzeciak, a Triple-A umpire getting a chance to call a big league game, had five calls that were overturned by the challenge system before the end of the third.
But the calls weren’t the only bizarre thing to take place during Tuesday’s game.
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees infielder Ben Rice (22) warms up during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
MLB Trade Rumors | Darragh McDonald: Spring training games have begun, and for the most part, all of the big offseason moves and acquisitions have been made. However, teams still usually have openings at the back end of their roster at this time of year, and the Yankees apparently are no different. In particular, the Yankees are reportedly still keeping an eye on a potential platoon bat, and will monitor who becomes available as spring training continues — even as it winds down before Opening Day on March 25th.
NJ.com | Randy Miller: Ben Rice was arguably the Yankees’ best surprise in 2025, putting in a breakout campaign after he debuted in up-and-down fashion in 2024. Despite the re-signing of Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice figures to be a big part of the Yankees’ plans this season. While the Yankees may also decide to use him as a backup catcher too, Rice really hopes to improve on his defense in 2026, as well as maintain a regular spot in the lineup.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Speaking of Goldschmidt, in addition to returning to the Yankees, he is also set to return to the USA team for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Here, Goldschmidt discusses his love for the tournament—this will be his third after winning it in 2017 and finishing runner-up in 2023—and how he’s preparing for a likely reduced role in the Bronx behind Rice in 2026.
The Yankees were both aggressive and mostly accurate with their challenges Tuesday during an 8-7 win over the Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. That included Austin Wells and José Caballero both going 2-for-2 in getting calls overturned. Caballero used both in a single at-bat to draw a walk, Jazz Chisholm Jr. nailed his only challenge and Trent Grisham went 1-for-2, though Boone did have a slight issue with Grisham’s miss.
“We want to be really good at it,” Boone said. “We want to be the best at it. I feel like our guys, we’ve been preaching around here long enough about controlling the strike zone.
“I thought Grish’s second one where he was wrong was probably a little emotional for him. He kind of wanted to challenge the first one and then the last one, when he probably wasn’t convicted. But overall, I thought guys did a good job with it.”
Home plate umpire Tom Fornarola makes an announcement as New York Yankees shortstop José Caballero challenged a call that was overturned. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
With teams getting two challenges per game — and retaining them as long as they are correct — one thought might be to save them for big spots late. But Boone does not agree with that idea.
“This isn’t ‘save them for the seventh, eighth and ninth,’ ” Boone said. “I want us to be right. … But I just want us to also inherently understand leverage. You’re down to one and it’s the fifth inning, nobody on, two outs, 1-0 count, that’s one I feel like we got to nail that one if we’re challenging that one. But it doesn’t change [in a] big spot, two strikes, fourth inning, two men on, that’s the biggest spot at that moment.”
Spring training stats mean next to nothing, especially for a veteran like Paul Goldschmidt. But they don’t hurt, either, and the first baseman continued his solid start Tuesday by crushing a two-run homer off tough righty Tyler Rogers and later adding a two-run double against righty Jesse Hahn.
Paul Goldschmidt blasted a home run on Tuesday for the Yankees. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“It’s definitely not a time where you just want to go through the motions,” said Goldschmidt, who will leave camp this weekend to play for Team USA in the WBC. “You want to have good at-bats and really more than anything, just keep building toward the regular season.”
Two relievers vying to break camp in the Yankees bullpen had solid outings Tuesday, with Jake Bird delivering 1 ¹/₃ scoreless innings and lefty Brent Headrick making his spring debut with a scoreless frame.
Kervin Castro, another bullpen candidate after he was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, tossed two shutout innings.
Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 24, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Americans are only getting one World Baseball Classic start from one Cy Young Award winner, but could get multiple from another.
Paul Skenes told MLB insider Ken Rosenthal that he expects to make one start for Team USA in pool play and possibly another if the team advances in the international tournament.
“We win, we go as far as we should, I’ll pitch again in the tournament,” Skenes said.
Paul Skenes reacts during the Pirates’ win over the Reds on Sept. 24, 2025 in Cincinnati. Getty Images
The 2025 National League Cy Young winner’s decision stands in contrast to left-handed Tarik Skubal, who said Monday he will make one outing against Great Britain on March 7 before returning to spring training with the Tigers.
“I’m trying to do both things, trying to pitch for Team USA but I understand the need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season,” Skubal said. “I think it’s kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful they took me in that capacity.”
Skubal, the two-time reigning Cy Young winner in the American League, said he would like to return to the team to watch — if the Americans reach the final round.
Giants ace Logan Webb said Tuesday that he plans to stick it out throughout the WBC, and while he will be there for the entirety of the tournament, said he understands why Skubal, an impending free agent, is deciding to pitch just once.
“I’m not in his shoes,” Webb said, according to MLB.com. “I’ve got three years left on my contract. He doesn’t. He has one year and then he’s a free agent. I get the thought of it.”
Pirates starter Paul Skenes watches workouts during a spring training practice on Feb. 14, 2026, in Bradenton, Fla. AP
In Skenes, Team USA will have arguably the best right-hander in baseball, who led MLB in ERA (1.97) and FIP (2.36) with an NL-best 0.948 WHIP last season.
The Americans also will have, on a star-studded roster, retired Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw, who announced he’ll make an appearance in what will likely be his final chapter as a pitcher.
There will also be a New York contingent on the staff, with Mets starters Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean and Yankees reliever David Bednar all on the roster.
Team USA has exhibitions against the Giants and Rockies next week before kicking off pool play against Brazil on March 6 at Daikin Park in Houston.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Welinton Herrera #59 of the Colorado Rockies throws during his first bullpen of spring training at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 12, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
Okay, Purple Row Night Owls, here’s a question for you.
The Rockies have been working for the last few years to build their pitching depth, and we are beginning to see the results.
So in 2026, which Colorado Rockies pitching prospect will make a name for himself?
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Konnor Griffin, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ latest can’t-miss prospect, didn’t miss against the Boston Red Sox and newcomer Ranger Suarez on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old shortstop, considered the top prospect in baseball, hit a pair of homers in Pittsburgh’s 16-7 Grapefruit League win over the Red Sox.
Griffin took a pitch from Suarez, who signed a five-year, $130-million deal with Boston in January after two standout seasons in Philadelphia, over the left-field wall for a two-run homer in the second inning. Griffin did it again two innings later, turning on a two-strike pitch from Seth Martinez and sending it 440 feet.
“Got some good swings off, so kind of smoked them,” Griffin told reporters afterward.
The 6-foot-4 Griffin, who sprinted through the lower levels of Pittsburgh’s farm system last season, began the day searching for his first hit of the spring and ended it with four RBIs and a pair of swings that offered a flash of his potential.
Griffin acknowledged that having success against two proven major league pitchers — Suarez was an All-Star in 2024 and Martinez has appeared in over 100 games over the last five seasons — was “special” but added he was trying to stay in the moment and not get caught up in who he was facing.
“I stepped in the box and I was ready to compete,” he said. “I wasn’t worrying about who was on the mound. I was just worrying about what his stuff was and how I could have the best approach.”
Griffin has tried to keep his head down while the buzz around him has built, just as reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes did during his first spring training with the Pirates two years ago. Skenes began the 2024 season in the minors before making his big league debut in May.
There’s a chance Griffin might not have to wait that long. The left side of the Pirates’ infield is a question mark. Jared Triolo is an excellent defender who can play either third or short and Nick Gonzales is also in the mix. Neither, however, has the potential at the plate that Griffin offers.
“He’s definitely going to hit,” Pirates pitcher Carmen Mzlodzinski told reporters. “There’s not a whole lot of swings you see like that, especially from a teenager. The best way to say it is his swing stays in the zone forever.”
Suarez, who allowed two runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings, tipped his cap to the young player who was all of 12 when Suarez made his major league debut with the Phillies in 2018.
“When you’re the top prospect in the game, people expect that from you,” Suarez said through an interpreter. “He did that today, and I wasn’t surprised.”
Suarez said he felt good about his performance overall as he begins to ramp up his workload ahead of the World Baseball Classic, where he will pitch for his native Venezuela.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 24: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with fans after scoring from second base on a wild pitch in a game against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field on September 24, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good evening. It’s another good night here at BCB After Dark: the hippest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re glad to see that you stopped by. Please come on in out of the cold or wet. Let us take your coat for you. We still have a few tables available. The hostess can seat you now. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Last night I asked you which non-roster invitee outfielder was the most likely to make an impact on the 2026 Cubs. While the comments seemed to favor Chas McCormick, he only got 30 percent of the vote. In first place was Dylan Carlson, who brought in 51 percent of the vote. Michael Conforto got the other 19 percent.
On Tuesday night/Wednesday mornings, I don’t normally do any movie stuff. But I always have time for jazz, so those of you who want to skip that can do so now.
Tonight we’re featuring one of those NPR Tiny Desk Concerts (support public radio!) featuring the young saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins. (Twenty-eight is a baby in the jazz world!) There’s a lot of young jazz talent coming out these days and Wilkins seems like he could be the next great jazz artist from Philadelphia, of which there seems to be a lot. He already has one Grammy nomination.
Wilkins is on alto sax, Micah Thomas plays piano, Ryoma Takenaga in on the bass and the drummer is Kweku Sumbry.
This video was just posted earlier today.
Welcome back to everyone who skips the music.
Chicago Magazine was out with a profile of Pete Crow-Armstrong this week that is worth your effort to read, if you haven’t already. The overall tone of the article paints PCA as both what you see on the field—fiery, emotional, dedicated to winning, self-critical—but also that he has a more thoughtful side that can be quite critical of that other side of himself. It also shows Crow-Armstrong as someone who is firmly embracing Chicago and the Chicago life while not completely cutting himself off from his Southern California roots.
What’s getting the most attention however, is Crow-Armstrong’s out-of-nowhere diss of Dodgers fans.
[Chicago is} just an incredible city. The people are great. They give a shit. They aren’t just baseball fans who go to the game like Dodgers fans to take pictures and whatever. They are paying attention. They care.
To be clear, the writer, Wayne Drehs, did not ask Pete about Dodgers fans. This came unsolicited. This is also a stereotype of Dodgers fans that we’ve all heard before—and is also something said about fans of pretty much every popular baseball team, including the Cubs. But in Crow-Armstrong’s case, it’s also a slam on his hometown team.
This has kicked up a hornet’s nest. Steve Henson wrote about it for the Los Angeles Times. Maddie Lee wrote about it for the Sun-Times. Even Jordan Bastian had to mention it for MLB dot com. There are many other publications that took the time to write about it because, frankly, it’s a slow news day for baseball. Reporters are always looking for something outside of the “I’m in the best shape of my life and optimistic about the upcoming season” quotes that you normally get in Spring Training.
So Pete Crow-Armstrong gave the Dodgers bulletin board material and Dodgers fans reason to boo the hometown boy. He likely doesn’t care. As the article noted, his Cubs-loving father forbade him from being a Dodgers fan growing up.
But PCA’s brashness also comes on the field. We’ve all seen him reacting poorly to striking out. We’ve also seen him running on the field so quickly after a walkoff that he’s in danger of getting called for interference. (Hasn’t happened yet.) He’s also not one to back down from a slight, real or perceived. As Crow-Armstrong says in the article:
I’m sure I come off like a douche sometimes, . . .That’s how I present my fun to people, I guess. I’m not loud anywhere else. I’m not riled up anywhere else. That’s where I get to do that stuff. So hell yeah, I rub people the wrong way.
So tonight’s question is “Does Pete Crow-Armstrong need to tone it down?” No one is saying he needs to become as cool and collected as Jason Heyward all of a sudden, but does he need to tone down his on-the-field antics? Maybe wait a second before rushing onto the field? Maybe not slam his bat down on the ground after striking out? Maybe he could praise Cubs fans as the best in the world without giving the Dodgers bulletin board material?
From the article, it sounds like Pete himself would like to rein himself in a little. He speaks about how he wants to be a team leader one day like Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson.
Or do you like fiery Pete the way he is now? Maybe you don’t want him to do anything that gets him ejected or costs the team a run, but is showing emotion on the field just fine with you? Do you like that he takes shots at the Dodgers?
Thanks for stopping by tonight. If you’re coming from where they got that storm, we hope you were able to dig yourself out. Please be extra safe getting yourselves home. We can get your coat for you now. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow evening for more BCB After Dark.
Surprise, AZ - February 21: Samad Taylor #0 of the San Diego Padres stands on second base during a spring training game against the Kansas City Royals on February 21, 2026 in Surprise, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
As the first week of Cactus League play comes to a close, a few players on the San Diego Padres have begun to show hints of a MLB breakout. One of these is non-roster-invitee, Samad Taylor.
Prior to this year, Taylor had only logged 38 games of big-league experience, posting a .205 batting average in 73 plate appearances, with his longest stint coming with the Kansas City Royals in 2023. Across a nine-year career in the minors, he’s managed a much more respectable .269/.358/.425 slash line.
A red-hot start in Arizona
That’s why this first week in Spring Training has been so surprising. Taylor has hit .556 through four games with the Padres, going 5-for-9 with two doubles and two RBI, and kicking off the spring with a ridiculous 1.278 OPS.
It’s almost certain that this isn’t sustainable production at the major league level. In the past Taylor has raked in the spring only for his bat to go cold once the calendar turns to Opening Day.
Over six Spring Training invites, he has posted a .358/.396/.642 slash line. And while a line like that might make you think of Taylor as an obvious offensive powerhouse, he has yet to put it together in the majors.
The fight for the bench
The problem for Taylor is that the Friars have an abundance of players fighting for bench spots with the big-league club. From the emergence of Jose Miranda to recent mainstays like Bryce Johnson and Mason McCoy, there is no shortage of talent for San Diego to fill out its offensive depth.
But Taylor does have something over the others: speed.
Between the majors and minors, he has stolen 40-plus bases over each of the last three seasons, reaching a career high of 51 in 2023. It’s possible he’s brought up to the big-league level simply to act as a pinch-runner for the Padres in certain situations.
It’s hard to make heads or tails with such a small sample size. But if Taylor can build on his hot start to 2026, it’s easy to see him earning a place in the San Diego dugout come Opening Day.
Tanner Murray went 2-for-3 with three RBIs on a double and a homer. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It was a doozy of a Spring Training game in Peoria, Arizona, on Tuesday as both the White Sox (4-1) and Seattle Mariners (2-3) offenses exploded for 28 hits with the South Siders persevering to snag their fourth win. Both pitching staffs stumbled through the nine innings, with 19 hurlers making an appearance across both teams; eight for Chicago and 11 for Seattle. Mariners pitchers walked fewer batters — six compared to nine from the Good Guys — but the Sox struck out 12, while the M’s only scratched five Ks across the board.
Lefthander Anthony Kay made his debut with Chicago since joining the team this past offseason and overcame a shaky start. The southpaw stumbled early, loading the bases with a hit, a walk, and a hit batter to open the first frame. The one run he gave up came from Josh Naylor, who drove in a run while grounding into a double play. However, Kay was able to reclaim control and strike out Randy Arozarena to get out of the first. He carried that momentum into the second, and ended his day with two walks, two Ks, and 25 of 45 pitches (55%) thrown for strikes.
The South Siders had taken a one-run lead on a Lenyn Sosa double in the first inning, though the Naylor RBI tied the game back up at one. Reader, this would not be the first nor the last lead change of the day, as you could probably imagine in such a high-scoring, borderline chaotic game.
Including Kay, five of eight South Side pitchers allowed at least one run, and all but Chase Plymell and Zach Franklin allowed at least one hit. On top of the mess in the box score, the White Sox recorded not one, but two blown saves and still somehow managed to earn the win, likely thanks to the help of Seattle also blowing a save after taking the lead in the sixth.
Popping his first homer of the spring, shortstop Tanner Murray brought a two-run lead back to the Good Guys. Murray was excellent on Tuesday while going 2-for-3 with two extra-base hits (a home run and a double) and posting a quarter of Chicago’s RBIs (three).
Derek Hill ignited a three-run fourth with a leadoff triple, followed immediately by a Brooks Baldwin RBI double down the right field line. Edgar Quero capped the rally with a run-scoring single, padding the Chicago lead to 6-3. Curtis Mead was solid in the leadoff spot this afternoon, making hard, solid contact, going 2-for-4. His RBI single in the fourth was 104 mph off the bat, but Mead also accounted for the hardest hit ball of the day as his ground out in the fifth left the bat at 111.4 mph. More of this, please.
Out of the 16 hits from the South Siders, six were for extra bases: four doubles, a triple, and a home run. Murray led the team by driving in three, but the bench also provided some late-game pop. Mario Camilletti and Oliver Dunn combined to go 3-for-4 with four RBIs after entering the game in the sixth, and helped lead the Sox to a win.
Thankfully, the offense was there to back up the defense because, as we know, the arm barn was a bit rusty. The lead evaporated in the third when Wikelman González entered and surrendered a two-run tank to Cal Raleigh. The 2025 home run king’s blast handed González a blown save and knotted the score at three. Unfortunately for everyone, it got way worse before it got better.
Chicago’s pitching staff struggled to find the zone; after González’s two walks, three additional relievers surrendered five more. The collapse peaked in the fifth, when Jairo Iriarte walked three straight hitters, all of whom eventually scored to tie the game at eight. Chase Plymell came in to relieve, and due to a throwing error from Edgar Quero, Plymell was awarded the second blown save despite not being in that situation without the mayhem that preceded him.
Ironically enough, lefthander Tyler Schweitzer ended up being granted the win even after giving up another two runs on four hits — definitely not his best performance but apparently not the worst of the day. The final two innings had some feeling of normalcy as Adisyn Coffey and Franklin were able to stave off the Mariners one last time. Each struck out one batter, and Coffey allowed just one base hit.
It was a whirlwind of a game, but everyone is just getting ramped up and working on different mechanics or certain aspects of their games in preparation for the upcoming season. While victories don’t really matter in Spring Training, it sure is nice to see a more lopsided win column. The fun continues Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds back home at Camelback Ranch with righthander Davis Martin projected to make the start.
There's nothing in sports like attending a spiring training game under the sunny Arizona and Florida skies, with fans camped out on the berms beyond the outfield walls to watch Major League Baseball's exhibition games before the regular season gets underway.
MLB's 30 teams are split evenly between Arizona (Cactus League) and Florida (Grapefruit League) to prepare for the new season with players battling for jobs ahead o the grueling 162-campaign that every team hopes will end in late October.
Tickets for spring trraining games are markedly less expensive that regular-season games, offering a great value for fans and families lucky to be in the Phoenix area and coasts of Florida.
Here's how to buy spring training tickets for every team:
