SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Tanner Gordon #29 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 18, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After falling to the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 in yesterday’s Cactus League opener, the Colorado Rockies will look to bounce back against the Snakes. Nolan Arenado connected on a home run against former teammate Antonio Senzatela early, and it proved to be the difference late in the game.
It also gave fans their first look at the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS) at the MLB level, as five challenges were initiated. The players went 4-1 in those challenges.
Tanner Gordon will take the ball for the Rockies. Gordon had a breakout campaign in 2025, where he was led the team with six wins and finished second in Quality Starts (7). The right-hander will get his first shot to make an impression in spring, as he looks to potentially fill the fifth starter spot that’s up for grabs.
He will face left-hander Mitch Bratt. The 22-year-old Canadian was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers and worked his way up the system. He reached Double-A in 2025 before being traded to the D-backs in the Merrill Kelly trade.
Feb 20, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Justin Yeager (70) throws in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners during a Spring Training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images | Justin Yeager - Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
San Diego Padres at Kansas City Royals, February 21, 2026, 12:05 p.m. PST
Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 21: Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field on August 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Athletics defeated the Twins 8-3. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BASEBALL IS BACK BABY!!!
Okay, maybe it’s just Spring Training and today’s games will likely feature mostly backups, depth players and prospects, but baseball is baseball damn it. We got a game today against the Chicago White Sox to kick off our spring schedule, the first of 32 exhibition contests including a few split-squad contests (plus a Prospects Breakout Game). Things are about to ramp up quickly and before we know it it’ll be Opening Day in Toronto with our A’s on the first base line listening to the national anthems.
The first game begins just after noon and will see righty Jack Perkins beginning the game for the Athletics. It’s going to be a quick outing for Perkins, who is surely looking to prove that he’s more than a swingman. There’s value in that role but Perk wants to start and his path in that regard begins with a strong outing this afternoon.
After Perkins’ inning of work we can expect Wei-En Lin and Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang to come after. The left-handed Lin is one of the better prospects in the A’s system and could be an option this summer so impressing the coaches today could speed up that promotion a bit. Zhuang is another starter prospect that has shown some promise and could also be an option sooner than later,
The A’s starting lineup for their first game of 2026:
The only sure-fire everyday starter in today’s lineup is center fielder Denzel Clarke, who will bat leadoff this afternoon. We all know about his elite defense in center field, now we need to see some production with his bat. Infielders Max Muncy and Darell Hernaiz are both in today’s lineup as they fight over the right to third base. Muncy seemingly has the edge because he’s getting the nod at the hot corner but Hernaiz could end up being the option because he’s capable of handling shortstop if the worst happened to Jacob Wilson. The battle for the hot corner begins!
Elsewhere in the starting lineup we see speedy/powerful outfielder Junior Perez getting the start in center field this afternoon, alongside fellow top prospect Henry Bolte in right field and Colby Thomas in left. The outfield situation is quickly getting crowded so these starts will be big for Perez to remind the coaching staff not to forget about him. He was, after all, added to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Time to start showing how smart the front office is.
Here’s how the White Sox will line up for today’s start to Cactus League games:
Second baseman Marcus Semien, traded to the Mets by the Rangers in November, fields some Spring Training Q&A from Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: What is the ceiling for you and Francisco Lindor as a second base-shortstop double-play combination?
A: I would say our goal is to be known as the best middle infield in the league … taking away as many base hits and runs as we possibly can to help our team win every single game we can.
Q: Over the years, what impressed you most about Lindor?
A: Just how smooth he is at shortstop. He makes the game look easy over there. You look at him as a hitter, how clutch he is and how he posts every day. I know playing the shortstop position producing on offense like he does and playing platinum glove defense is not an easy thing.
Q: Having been teammates in Toronto in 2021, what is your favorite Bo Bichette memory?
A: I think just watching him as a young kid, having a career year, playing in the All-Star game with Bo — we got to play a couple of times, the coolest one was being to play up the middle with him in the All-Star Game in 2023, although I was a Ranger, he was a Blue Jay. It felt like old times for us.
Marcus Semien practices base running during Spring Training at Clover Field, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Port St. Lucie. Corey Sipkin for tNY Post
Q: How is he going to handle third base?
A: He’s looking great over there. He’s a really good athlete who can adjust, he’s got a strong arm, and he’s just working on different angles and different things that he’s gonna see over there that at shortstop he may have a little more time to see the ball come to you, so just reaction time and different things like that are gonna be something he’s working on right now.
Q: What have you observed about Carson Benge?
A: I got to hit in the cage with him. He’s got a powerful bat. He gets everything he has into his swing, but his hand-eye coordination looks really good. So it’s a scary combination.
Q: Nolan McLean?
A: I got to face Nolan my first live at-bats this spring. He’s a guy who’s coming right at you with six different pitches and high velocity and really good stuff, and he’s a competitor on the mound. He’s definitely gonna be a superstar in this league, he’s showing that already.
Q: What makes Freddy Peralta an ace?
A: He’s got that deceptive windup with a very, very, very good fastball. It looks like it’s right down the middle and it just rises right above your barrel. That makes it tough. Then you feel like you have to cheat to his fastball and he’s got a great changeup and great slider off of that.
Q: Would you consider one day being a manager?
A: I don’t know. … I definitely want to give back to the game any way I can. I know I owe it to my family and my kids to at least manage their baseball team first (laugh). If the opportunity ever came, that would be something I would consider for sure, but I haven’t thought too much about it yet.
Q: Describe your new manager, Carlos Mendoza.
A: Seems like a great person, a leader, the way he talks to the group, he really believes that we are going to be a great team and he has us all believe that. That’s a great mentality to have.
Marcus Semien throws during Spring Training at Clover Field, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Q: Does winning a World Series with the 2023 Rangers whet your appetite to win another one?
A: Every single day. I think when you make it at the top of this game, and that is the top of this game, winning a World Series, every year you show up after that you expect to do that. It’s definitely not that easy and you know how hard it is. I think the biggest thing is understanding that it’s a long season, and it’s about getting hot at the right time and making sure that you’re firing on all cylinders once you get to the postseason.
Q: How critical is clubhouse chemistry?
A: It is critical. I think clubhouse chemistry is a general term, but in terms of knowing your teammates, knowing how they react in certain situations, knowing their background and their family, it makes you care about them even more when you’re out there competing. … Get a runner over so your teammate after you can get a base hit to score a run or a sac fly to get him an RBI, those things matter for everybody.
Access the Mets beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.
A: Juan is as hard a worker as I’ve seen in a superstar. I see dedication to his craft, I see discipline, I see a guy who has fun, and just a guy that is preparing to be a Hall of Famer, what it looks like to me.
Q: Do you miss batting leadoff?
A: Yeah, batting leadoff was fun. You get into the routine of it. You get a lot of plate appearances. I was hitting leadoff for a good offensive team, getting five plate appearances a night. All of a sudden I had 835 total plate appearances in 2023, so that was definitely a fun year.
Q: Any idea where you’ll be batting in the lineup this year?
A: No, I don’t know yet. My goal is to put myself in a position where I’m swinging the bat very well to contribute to this team in a good way offensively.
Q: How dynamic can this Mets lineup be?
A: Very dynamic. We have guys who can run, and we have guys who can hit for power and put the ball in play and make it tough on a defense. We have to do our best to be relentless night in, night out, and any given day there’s somebody in our lineup who can beat you. It’s gonna be fun to be a part of a deep group of talented hitters.
Q: David Stearns talked about your impact will primarily be defensively, but do you have something to prove offensively?
A: I do. I just want to be the best version of myself as a player. Over the years, there’s been some offensive production there that I want to replicate, and I’m working extremely hard to do those things and continue to improve on defense and get as complete a player as I can possibly be.
Marcus Semien takes batting practice during Spring Training at Clover Field on Feb. 17, 2026, in Port St. Lucie. Corey Sipkin for tNY Post
Q: You hit 45 home runs with Toronto in 2021.
A: I was on time for the fastball. I was able to handle high velocity up in the zone and connect with it over and over. That’s something we always focus on because high-velocity pitching is everywhere in the game now.
Q: Where is your swing and approach now?
A: I’ve been overall happy with how I’ve been competing in the box, and as we get further along and get to, let’s say, 100 plate appearances total, I think we should have a better idea of what we’re doing up here.
Q: What would you tell young players about what it takes to win a Gold Glove?
A: I’ve been fortunate enough to be out there and play a lot of games and play good defense at a high level. I take ground balls every single day, that’s something that’s important to me no matter if it’s a day game or a night game. It’s something I feel like is part of the routine to get you going, get your body in shape and work on your skills, so never stop working on your skills.
Francisco Lindor watches Marcus Semien of the New York Mets field during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 16, 2026 in Port St. Lucie. Getty Images
Q: Do you miss shortstop, or no?
A: I do, but I found a home at second base. It’s almost even now how many years I’ve played shortstop and second.
Q: What’s your comfort level at second?
A: I’m still learning something new every day, but in terms of the angles, the baseball coming off the bat and turning double plays, and just certain plays you see on the right side of the infield, I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable, for sure.
Q: Were there second basemen you studied when you moved from shortstop?
A: I really just put my head down and tried to work as hard as I could every single day. Guys that I would say I admire now at the position, Ketel Marte, Andrés Giménez, I think he might be playing shortstop again now, but those are some of the smoothest guys I’ve seen over there.
Q: Describe your on-field mentality.
A: I guess grinder. I want to play every single day, I want to give it all I have no matter how I feel. I run the bases hard and I play the game hard.
Q: You can’t be an Iron Man unless you play hurt. What’s the most hurt you ever played?
A: I probably have to say through a fractured wrist for about a month that I didn’t know at the time. That was in Oakland, 2017, just trying to grind through that one. Eventually I had to get a surgery, but I tried my best.
Q: What does it take to be an Iron Man, and how proud are you of being one?
A: It definitely takes a lot of work behind the scenes in the weight room, in the training room, staying consistent with your work so you stay in shape, you want to get in good baseball shape. While we’re here in spring training, you want to maintain that and get even stronger throughout the year. And it takes a lot of mental strength as well. I’d say that just being able to handle the ups and downs of the game, and the pressures of playing at this level, you need to find a release or something that keeps you calm off the field so you can show up with the most positive attitude every day.
Marcus Semien during the 2023 World Series. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Q: What keeps you calm off the field?
A: For me, it’s my family. I get to come home to five kids and my wife, Tarah. It’s definitely been a great journey for my wife and I through baseball and raising kids. They allow me to just get away from the game when I get home and just enjoy them growing up.
Q: Tell me about Tarah.
A: We’ve been together since high school [St. Mary’s in Albany, Calif.], we went to the same high school, the same college [Cal] and we both played sports. Tarah was one of the top volleyball players in the world, she played professionally while I was in the minor leagues. And then she had a knee injury that ended her volleyball career, and we ended up having our first child and getting married while I was in Oakland. And now we have five children, and time flies.
Q: The oldest is Isaiah.
A: Isaiah’s 9, Joshua’s 7, Eli’s 5, Amelie is 2 and Capri is 3 months old.
Q: What is it like being a father of five?
A: It’s fun. Something new every day. There’s a lot of teaching moments, there’s a lot of just helping these little ones grow up to be respectful people. That’s always my wife and I’s goal.
Q: What is the biggest adversity you’ve overcome?
A: I’d probably say my first full season in the major leagues [2015 with the A’s], just having some defensive struggles, trying to play the shortstop position for a new team in my hometown and going through some struggles. It really just took hard work on taking extra ground balls and finding a new routine that made me confident in the game to get me out of that rut.
Q: What is the emotional low point in your major league career?
A: Definitely those early years. … I had some tough games in a White Sox uniform my first September or the next year. You work so hard to get to the major leagues and then you get there and you get punched in the mouth a couple of times, and you face the best of the best and you say, “OK, am I really good enough to stay here?” And the longer you think about it and play, you realize that every young guy goes through that. Now I get to watch a lot of young guys come up, and I know that there could be success early on, but there’s gonna be a lot of ups and downs, and you have to figure out how to adjust from there.
Q: Was there someone you turned to for support?
A: In the baseball world, I think it was Ron Washington in Oakland as my infield coach; Bob Melvin, manager; Darren Bush, hitting coach in Oakland. I grew up in the major leagues with those coaches. In terms of players, Jed Lowrie was a guy who really helped me a lot on defense, and then when those young guys came up behind me, seeing how good they were and how much fun they had really kind of put some life into me to keep it going.
New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (center) speaks to infielder Marcus Semien (left) and third base coach Tim Leiper (right) during spring training at Clover Park. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Q: What was it about Derek Jeter you admired so much?
A: Right-handed hitter … I just kind of watched the way he moved, I feel like it reminded me of what I could be one day. He comes from a similar, I guess, ethnic background — his mom being white, his dad Black, similar to me — and he played shortstop. So I kinda looked for somebody who was kinda similar to me background-wise, and he was “the guy” for a while, so he was fun to watch.
Q: A quote from your former manager Bob Melvin: “There’s certain guys you don’t want to see in a different uniform.”
A: When I got traded to Oakland, I got to play for Bob Melvin for six straight years. I felt like Bob was another father figure for me, somebody who believed in me and let me work through my ups and downs. I tried to be the best teammate I could be when I played for him, and I think that’s probably a little bit of what he meant. But he shaped a lot of where I am today.
Q: A quote from Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins: “Marcus is so good for baseball.”
A: He brought me in on a one-year deal after I had a tough 2020 season. They believed in me, they showed a lot of confidence in me. They made me feel welcome when I got there, and I had a lot of fun playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. We had a crazy [COVID] year because Canada was not open and we went through a lot as a team. That’s a really good organization over there, and I’m happy he felt that way about me.
Q: What was it like riding BART to Giants games with your grandmother?
A: My grandma, Carol Phillips, my mom’s mom, I was her first grandson. She had three [grand]daughters, and I was born, and she loved sports. We made that connection very early when I was a young kid, and growing up in the Bay Area, we had San Francisco Giants games, we had Golden State Warriors games, and my grandma loved baseball and basketball. As I got older and continued to play sports, my grandma would be at every single game that I had, she’d also take me to the pro games, and that’s how I learned to love sports.
Q: What was it like watching Barry Bonds’ 700th home run in person?
A: That was great. I think we were in the third deck. I’m pretty sure he hit that ball to like left center, and just the power that he showed in that ballpark, which is a pitcher’s ballpark, he made that park look small. All of us young kids and fans at those games, every Barry Bonds at-bat we were locked in to, and even when they were on TV we were just locked in to his at-bats.
Q: Did you grow up wanting to be a San Francisco Giant?
A: Of course. It’s cool to see young kids now that I’m at this level, the teams that I’ve played for, the young kids in the area just aspiring to be a major league player for their favorite team. That was definitely me.
Q: Who was your favorite Warrior, Curry?
A: [Steph] Curry’s been a fixture for a long, long time. Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, when Kevin Durant was there, like that was a lethal combination. But just watching how that Steve Kerr system has been so good for a long time, and watching Steph Curry shoot the ball with such precision and excellence, you get spoiled as a Warrior fan.
Q: You were a Jason Kidd fan, too.
A: I actually got a chance to connect with Jason this offseason in Texas. He’s a University of California-Berkeley guy, and Dallas Mavericks head coach.
Q: What was it like meeting Rickey Henderson?
A: While I was playing for Oakland, he was the special assistant with the organization. Basically, he came into the clubhouse and he was just one of the guys, he’s playing cards with the guys, he’s talking baseball, talking baserunning, of course, hitting. I got to take ground balls during batting practice, and Rickey Henderson would catch my throws at first base, so every time my dad would come to batting practice he thought that was the craziest thing because that was his favorite player (chuckle). It’s so sad to see him go at such a young age. I think about him all the time.
Q: Alexei Ramirez, tell me about him.
A: He was a shortstop when I got called up to the major leagues, and just watching him play 161, 162 games year after year and grind through a season … whether I was not playing that day, or playing up the middle with him, he was always a guy I looked up to, and he gave it everything he had on the field.
Q: What will it be like playing on the New York stage?
A: It’s something I’ve always wondered about and wanted to do. I think just coming into New York as a road player, you feel that energy immediately, so now I get to do it for 81-plus games. The energy in the ballpark brings the best out of most of us players, and something I’m looking forward to.
New York Mets hitting coach Jeff Albert speaks with Marcus Semien during Spring Training at Clover Field, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Martin Luther King [Jr.], Jackie Robinson, Barack Obama.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Remember the Titans.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Denzel [Washington].
Q: Favorite singer/rapper/entertainer?
A: Lil Wayne.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Steak.
Q: Your goals for this season?
A: My goal is to be on a World Series championship team. My goal is to stay healthy, play 162 games of good baseball, offensive and defense, score 100 runs, and maybe win another [third] Gold Glove.
Q: What are you most proud of about your career?
A: Getting the 10 years of service time was definitely something I was proud of. Winning a World Series, and just making an impact on my teammates that have been around me.
Q: What is your message to Mets fans about Marcus Semien?
A: I’m a hard-working baseball player, a family man, and somebody who just really loves the game of baseball, and I’m blessed to be able to play in front of these fans.
Q: Your message to fans about this Mets team?
A: This Mets team is a group of hungry players who are ready to do whatever it takes to make it to the World Series and win a ring. That’s everybody’s goal, and that will remain the same throughout the season.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Colby Thomas #32 of the Athletics celebrates hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Sutter Health Park on September 14, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A seasoned center fielder camps under a lazy fly ball, drifting with it as it gets carried by a strong wind. Suddenly blinded by the intense desert sun, at the last moment the center fielder ducks and covers his head with his glove as the ball falls a few feet behind him on the outfield grass. Official scorer ruling: double.
That is just Exhibit A as to why spring training stats should be taken with a grain of salt — and then discarded. Exhibit B is the parade of A and AA players on the field by the 5th inning, Exhibit C the way the ball carries in the desert air, Exhibit D the helpless feeling a pitcher gets watching playable ground balls work their way through a B-squad infield.
Don’t get me wrong: spring training can indeed be a place jobs are won or lost. But not on numbers, by the many eyeballs focused on players who are on the bubble for a position or roster spot. So as the Cactus League opens today, here are some things to watch/listen for in the quest for the starting job at 3B or a bench role filling out the roster:
Max Muncy
Does he look more fluid and comfortable at 3B than when he learned it on the job during the 2025 season?
Can he maintain accuracy with his throws, something which has plagued Muncy whether at 2B, SS, or 3B?
Is he hitting the ball with more authority than the low exit velocities and squared up percentages he showed in 2025?
Is he more relaxed and patient at the plate, rather than jumpy as he was in his first go around with the big league club?
Regardless of what Muncy’s batting average, OBP, slugging percentage, or number or errors look like, the answers to these questions likely will inform whether he wins the 3B job that appears to be his to lose coming in.
Brett Harris & Darell Hernaiz
Muncy’s main competition for 3B, Harris and Hernaiz share the same ‘deadly flaw’ they are hoping to show coaches they have conquered at least to some degree: they simply don’t slug or drive the ball nearly enough.
If either player shows up to the Cactus League truly having adjusted his swing to where he can drive the ball more consistently, suddenly you have a far more legitimately 3B candidate on your hands.
Colby Thomas
Fighting for a bench spot, probably vying with Carlos Cortes for that 4th OFer role, Thomas needs to show that he can hunt strikes and not just “most pitches”. Thomas has the reputation of feeling like he can drive most any pitch, but in order to be successful at the big league level he is going to have to develop more discernment.
Nobody questions that when Thomas makes contact, the ball flies off his bat with impressive authority. But the chase rate, the tendency to put balls in play early in the count — these are qualities you can still thrive with against MiLB pitchers but not so much against MLB arms.
Junior Perez
Perez is starting in CF for the A’s in their opener and he might get a lot of looks with Denzel Clarke soon leaving to represent team Canada in the WBC.
We all know Perez is a gifted CFer, so how he fares against the Arizona sun and wind isn’t all that important. What matters is whether he looks like the hitter who thrived upon being moved up to AAA Las Vegas last year or whether he looks at all like the confuzzled and “in his own head” mess he was at AA Midland prior. A lot of that will be seen in approach and swing decisions as well as the ability to square up pitches in the zone.
There’s a sampling of relevant specifics worth following — it’s only position players leaving room for similar analysis with pitchers another day. Any to add? Or any modifications you would suggest for the areas I have identified for these players?
Play ball! Jack Perkins gets the start at 12:05 PST but I’m guessing he won’t go all 9.
Mar 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Garrett Stallings against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Baseball is back!
The Milwaukee Brewers kick off their Cactus League slate Saturday afternoon in Phoenix as they’ll welcome the Cleveland Guardians in a battle of the two two-time reigning Managers of the Year in Pat Murphy and former Brewer Stephen Vogt.
Today’s game is one filled with non-roster invitees, including a few you may see in the World Baseball Classic in just a few weeks. On the mound, right-hander Garrett Stallings, 28, is slated to start after appearing in 30 games (15 starts) at Triple-A Nashville last season.
Brett Wichrowski, Tyson Hardin, Jaron DeBerry, Will Childers, Blake Holub, Manuel Rodríguez, Mark Manfredi, and Stiven Cruz are all slated to pitch as well. Cruz is among those WBC players, as he’ll represent Nicaragua.
In the lineup, Brice Turang leads off and starts at second base, followed by Jackson Chourio at DH, Akil Baddoo in left, and Joey Ortiz at shortstop batting cleanup. Tyler Black bats fifth at first base, Brandon Lockridge is in center, and new Brewers David Hamilton and Reese McGuire start at third and catcher, respectively. Prospect Luis Lara rounds out the order and starts in right.
A few quick updates from spring camp, courtesy of Adam McCalvy and Todd Rosiak:
A few injury updates from Pat Murphy:
RHP Gerson Garabito had surgery for a broken bone in his foot and he's out for four months.
Brock Wilken has a shoulder impingement that's not believed serious (he's DHing today).
Brewers players and coaches are wearing “FC United” shirts today in support of Frank Cairone, the pitching prospect who was hospitalized in January after a car crash. Cairone recently resumed some light throwing. pic.twitter.com/zpKrkx1Mmq
Two other quick notes: Jaison Chourio, Jackson’s younger brother and a top prospect for Cleveland, is part of the Guardians’ travel roster today, meaning we may see him go head-to-head with his brother. The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System is also in play today. Pat Murphy had this to say in a conversation with McCalvy.
First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on 620 WTMJ and statewide on the Brewers Radio Network.
Feb 19, 2026; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson (85) during spring training photo day in Peoria, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
And we’re back.
Yesterday we got our first taste of Mariners baseball for 2026 , which is a great milestone to mark off the calendar. The pomp and circumstance may be somewhat lesser today, but we do get our first reminder for the steady rhythm of the season: the Mariners play every Saturday from now until Oct. 10, when the schedule makers offer a rest day before the ALCS. Hopefully it works out that way.
The Mariners roll out a lineup with dueling Emersons: Colt Emerson gets his first at bats of the spring and plays third base, while Emerson Hancock takes the mound for the first time. Both are looking to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 27: Cody Freeman #39 of the Texas Rangers looks on prior to a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on September 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Texas Rangers infielder Cody Freeman has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back, the team announced today. He is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Freeman, who the beats say gave the team an injection of energy when he came up last August, was in the mix for a bench spot to start the season. This would seem to lock Ezequiel Duran in for the backup infielder spot, which, barring injury, would mean that one spot is still open among position players, given that Sam Haggerty appears to be a given.
The team also announced that Winston Santos has a fracture in his non-throwing hand, a result of being hit by a comebacker while throwing batting practice. He won’t be facing batters for the next four weeks, but he will be able to throw in that period, so once his left hand heals he should be able to get back into action pretty quick.
Santos missed most of the 2025 season due to injury, making only 6 starts — five for Frisco, one for Round Rock — before throwing 18 innings in the Arizona Fall League. I would expect he’ll start the season in Round Rock, though he could go back to AA Frisco to start the year.
Tarik Skubal is fresh off a record-setting $32 million dollar arbitration win and is one of the eight players on the MLB Players Association executive subcommittee, so his hands have been full this summer.
Skubal is also coming off back-to-back Cy Young awards and an absolute dominate showing in 2025. The 29-year-old LHP had a 2.21 ERA, 13-6 record, and career-highs in WHIP (0.89), WAR (6.6) innings pitched (195.1) to go along with 241 strikeouts to 33 walks. Looking over his baseball savant page, Skubal couldn't have really been better, unless he was a video game character playing on easy mode.
Tarik Skubal baseball savant page
Skubal is renown as the best pitcher in all of baseball, not just the AL, and a third-straight Cy Young would make him the sixth player to accomplish this feat after Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martínez, Sandy Koufax, and Jim Palmer. Barring injury, Skubal will be a top-two candidate to win the AL Cy Young all season, and all trade rumors should be put to rest. The Tigers would be fools to deal Skubal.
2. Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox (+425)
The leash was off of Garrett Crochet last year in his debut season with Boston and it resulted in as second-place finish for the AL Cy Young. Crochet totaled four first-place votes and 26 second-place votes last year finishing behind Tarik Skubal and ahead of Hunter Brown, Max Fried, and Bryan Woo.
Crochet led all of baseball in strikeouts (255), was second in wins (18), second in innings pitched (205.1), sixth in ERA (2.59), eighth in WHIP (1.03), and 12th in OBA (.217). Crochet matched his 2024 season with 32 games started, but tripled his wins from 6 to 18 and added almost 60 more innings pitched going from the White Sox to the Red Sox. The 26-year-old LHP is entering his prime and is the biggest contender to Skubal.
I bet Crochet last year to win AL Cy Young and he came as close as possible despite Skull's fantastic season. I will run it back and bet on Crochet to win the award, as it's difficult to win three consecutive Cy Young's and pitch 190-plus innings in three straight years.
3. Max Fried, New York Yankees (+1700)
In his first season with the Yankees, Max Fried led the MLB in wins (19) and set a career-high in victories, plus innings pitched (195.1), strikeouts (189), and games started (32). The 32-year-old picked up where he left off in 2021 and 2022 with the Braves and dominated the regular season.
The last time we saw Fried, he was bombarded for seven earned runs on eight hits against the Blue Jays in a Game 2 loss, which I'm sure added some fuel to the fire for this upcoming season. Fried finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting last season with six third-place votes, 20 fourth-place votes, and three fifth-place votes.
The Yankees get Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon back from injuries this season, so New York's rotation won't rely on Fried as heavily. I think a third-place finish is likely for the lefty and his odds should be a little shorter to match Hunter Brown (+1300), Cole Ragans (+1300) and the next pitcher on my list.
Before we get there, her are the top candidates for American League Cy Young courtesy of DraftKings.
American League Cy Young odds via DraftKings
4. Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers (+1300)
Last season, Jacob deGrom recorded his most wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, and more since 2019. After being riddled with injuries over the last five seasons, with the Mets and Rangers, the 37-year-old won American League Comeback Player of the Year.
deGrom had the second-best WHIP (0.92) behind Skubal, the fifth-best OBA (.196), and the 12th-best ERA (2.97). If he posts similar numbers, drops the ERA a bit, and can give Texas more than 172 innings of work, then he should be a top five contender for the Cy Young. deGrom won back-to-back Cy Young awards in the 2018 and 2019, which were the last healthy seasons for the veteran.
With only a few years left before retirement, deGrom's last chance to join the elite ranks of an AL and NL Cy Young trophy is running out. Since 2000, only Max Scherzer has won a Cy Young in the AL and NL. Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens are two more stars who accomplished this feat in the 1990's. With Skubal and Crochet in their primes, I personally don't see deGrom winning this season, but anything can happen.
A sleeper for this award is deGrom's teammate, MacKenzie Gore (+4000). Gore joins the Rangers after a 5-15 season with the Nationals and a 4.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 159.2 innings pitched. The trio of deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Gore will be one of the most fun pitching rotations in baseball this year.
5. Framber Valdez, Detroit Tigers (+2200)
This may come as a surprise having Framber Valdez as my No. 5 pick for Cy Young, but the move to Detroit was massive. Valdez has five-straight seasons of double-digit wins, four consecutive of 176-plus innings pitched, and at least 169 strikeouts over the past four years.
While Valdez is coming off his worst ERA (3.66) since 2020, the former Astro posted the second-best WAR of his career (3.8) and tied for the most games started (31). Valdez is durable and he will join Tarik Skubal, Justin Verlander, Jack Flaherty, and Casey Mize in one of the best rotations in not just the American League, but all of baseball. That rotation will boost Valdez's status and he won't be playing indoors as often like he was with Houston.
Detroit has hitters all over the lineup and I fully expect Valdez to post another double-digit win season and a sub 3.00 ERA like he did in 2022 and 2024. Winning the award is a different story though with Skubal in the lineup, but Valdez could be a top-five finisher for Cy Young and beat out guys with better odds like Hunter Brown (+1300) or Cole Ragans (+1300).
MLB Futures Card
3 units: Pittsburgh Pirates Over 76.5 Wins (-115) 1 unit: Pittsburgh Pirates to win NL Central (+800) 1 unit: Paul Skenes to win NL CY Young (+250) 1 unit: Garrett Crochet to win AL CY Young (+425) 0.5 unit: Konnor Griffin to win NL Rookie of the Year (+600) 0.5 unit: Bubba Chandler to win NL Rookie of the Year (+1200)
⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 11: Dean Kremer #64 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches live during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 11, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles’ Grapefruit League opener yesterday was a resounding success, at least if you’re a pitcher or Pete Alonso. The Birds’ newest slugger mashed a two-run homer in his O’s spring debut to provide all the offense in a 2-0 win over the Yankees. Trevor Rogers, Keegan Akin, Rico Garcia, Grant Wolfram, Jose Espada, and Trey Gibson combined on a three-hit shutout, with Gibson pitching the final three innings for the save. All of those guys except Gibson are either locks or strong candidates for the Opening Day roster, so it’s nice to see them all start well.
The O’s have a return engagement at Ed Smith Stadium today against the Pirates. Dean Kremer, who will soon be leaving the Orioles to pitch for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, takes the mound today. It’s strange to think that Kremer might have to compete for a rotation spot, but that may be the case, as he, Chris Bassitt, and Zach Eflin (if healthy) are three candidates for two openings behind Rogers, Kyle Bradish, and Shane Baz.
Today’s game marks the Orioles debuts for Taylor Ward and Blaze Alexander, while Dylan Beavers and Ryan Mountcastle will also be starting for the first time this spring. Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, the latter of whom will soon leave for the WBC as well, are the only Orioles from yesterday’s game who are starting again today. They’ll take on Pirates prospect Wilber Dotel. Former Orioles Ryan O’Hearn and Billy Cook are in the Pirates’ lineup this afternoon.
The game will be televised on MASN and on radio on 98 Rock.
Orioles lineup:
LF Taylor Ward C Adley Rutschman 1B Ryan Mountcastle 2B Blaze Alexander DH Gunnar Henderson RF Dylan Beavers CF Leody Taveras 3B Weston Wilson SS Luis Vázquez
Feb 16, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera (right) and pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) shake hands after pitching drills during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander talks to pitching coach Chris Fetter after practice during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
CUBS vs. RANGERS: The Cubs will also face the Rangers in a Spring Training game Tuesday, March 10 at Surprise Stadium. The teams will play a three-game regular season series in Arlington, Texas May 8-9-10.
UPCOMING STARTERS: Colin Rea will start Sunday against the Giants at Scottsdale and Ben Brown will go against the Royals Monday at Surprise.
Matthew Boyd will start for the Cubs. Other Cubs pitchers scheduled today: Daniel Palencia, Hoby Milner, Luke Little, Jack Neely and Jeff Brigham.
Kumar Rocker will start for the Rangers. Other Rangers pitchers scheduled today: Cal Quantrill, Luis Curvelo, Carter Baumler and Patrick Murphy.
Today’s game will be on Marquee Sports Network. There will also be a radio broadcast on 670 The Score, as well as on the Rangers radio channel, Rangers 105.3.
Please note that during spring training, Gameday sometimes doesn’t go pitch-by-pitch as it does during the regular season — usually, it will update after each at-bat.
Please visit our SB Nation Rangers site Lone Star Ball. If you do go there to interact with Rangers fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
As we have done in the past, we’ll have a first pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time. For today, that will be 2 p.m. CT and 3:30 p.m. CT.
These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked ”Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher photos and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 13: Jackson Ferris #93 of the Los Angeles Dodgers participates in a throwing session during spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch on February 13, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers on Sunday take on the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex for their second game of the spring schedule.
Jackson Ferris gets the start on the mound on Sunday. The Branch Rickey Award in 2024 as the Dodgers minor league pitcher of the year, Ferris struggled at times in Double-A Tulsa last season but rebounded down the stretch with a 1.95 ERA and three home runs allowed over his final 15 starts of 2025.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Arizona Diamondbacks infielder, Nolan Arenado steps up to the plate during the first 2026 spring training game at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 20, 2026. The Arizona Diamondbacks went onto beat the Colorado Rockies 3-2. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Lawlar Gets Center Field Nod Once the team takes the field today, Jordan Lawlar will begin to make his case for or against all the faith that has been placed in him over the last few years.
Arenado Discusses Full Circle Home Run Jake McCarthy was wearing Colorado purple and Nolan Arenado was wearing Arizona colours. McCarthy showed he still has wheels. Arenado showed he still has pop in his bat. The veteran third baseman reflects on swatting a dinger against the club that brought him up.
Arizona’s Top Prospect Getting a Taste Arizona’s top prospect, Ryan Waldschmidt, is getting an opportunity to impress this spring. The slugging outfielder is unlikely to make the opening day roster, but this is an opportunity to put himself on the fast track to MLB promotion.
Bill Mazerowski Passes Away at 89 The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that 17-year Pirate, and Hall of Famer, Bill Mazerowski passed away yesterday. As one of the greatest Bucs of all-time, he will be missed.
If you aren’t already familiar with the name Dax Whitney, get familiar with him ASAP.
2027 MLB Draft 1.01 candidate – and if he was in the draft this year, he would very much challenge UCLA SS Roch Cholowsky for that slot. #MLB#NCAA#MiLBhttps://t.co/bx6KNPyTJR
