SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Hayden Birdsong #60 of the San Francisco Giants warms up during the fifth 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
Hayden Birdsong’s tough spring just took a turn for the worse. The San Francisco Giants’ 24-year old right-hander entered camp hoping to earn a bullpen role as well as the job of next-man-up in the rotation, but his first two outings of the spring were a disaster, and far too reminiscent of his collapse during the 2025 season.
But after throwing a few sim games in Minor League camp, Birdsong returned to Cactus League play with a stellar showing in his third and final game of the spring, which featured the hardest-thrown pitch of his career, just a few ticks off of triple digits.
And now, after that upswing, things have gone quite downhill. The Giants announced on Saturday that Birdsong was dealing with forearm discomfort, which is never a good sign. And on Sunday they revealed the results of his MRI: a Grade 2 UCL sprain and forearm strain in his pitching arm.
Needless to say, that’s not good news, especially for a pitch.
Birdsong is headed for a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister, and then he and the Giants staff will decide what course of action to take. Tony Vitello said that nothing is certain until they see what Meister has to say, but that the likely discussion is whether to have Birdsong head for surgery, or to have him rehab for a few months and see how his body responds. It seems overwhelmingly likely that we don’t see Birdsong until the summer at the earliest, and quite possible that he’ll be shelved for all of 2026.
It’s the unfortunate reality for pitchers, especially in the modern era, where everyone is taught to throw as hard as possible (it’s certainly a bit ironic, and perhaps not coincidental, that Birdsong’s injury popped up right after hitting his highest velocity). And while there’s no good time to be sidelined, it’s an especially painful timeline for Birdsong. According to Evan Webeck, pitching coach Justin Meccage had just told reporters that he thought Birdsong had put it all together following his recent outing.
Hopefully the second opinion results in good news for Birdsong, but sadly it looks like we won’t be seeing him for quite a while.
Mar 15, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Summoning all the optimism a person can after a 12-1 run loss, the best I could offer in reference to Luis Gil’s disastrous Sunday performance is this: “At least he didn’t walk a boatload of people.”
The Yankees’ starter lined up to face a pretty strong Tigers lineup, and his inability to keep the ball in the yard led to a blowout loss. Even for those who are warned not to take spring results too seriously, this is the type of start that, at the very least, greatly enhances preexisting concerns about a talented arm, but one whose 2026 projections vary significantly depending on who you talk to.
Gil never got remotely close to a groove, trailing 3-0 by the end of the first inning thanks to a booming three-run shot from Spencer Torkelson after back-to-back singles to Kerry Carpenter and Colt Keith. The second inning was equally difficult, as following a leadoff walk, it was Matt Vierling’s turn to take Gil yard, this time on a cheaper home run that only went 358 feet.
Anxious to fill his quota of one home run per inning right away, Gil wasted no time in the third and left nothing to chance. Riley Greene was due up to lead off the frame, and after a called strike fastball at the top of the zone, Gil poorly located a second heater inside at the perfect height for Greene to thoroughly demolish it. It was the Tigers’ third home run of the game, securing a 7-0 lead quite early.
Somewhat surprisingly, each of the three home runs Gil allowed came on different pitches: Torkelson punishing a changeup that didn’t quite drop enough and Vierling getting ahold of a hanging slider inside. A fastball-reliant pitcher, Gil couldn’t rely on his heater that failed to miss bats (2 whiffs on 19 swings) and induced plenty of hard contact. The slider worked decently well, but the fastball and changeup were absolutely demolished, and even the breaking ball had its lousy moment, the Vierling homer, which, funny enough, didn’t even register as a hard-hit ball.
Perhaps in preparation for his likely role during the regular season, albeit with the caveat of facing a weak lineup once most of the starters had left, Ryan Yarbrough contributed three scoreless, efficient innings, needing only 35 pitches to do so. What was a 7-0 deficit when Gil left the mound got tacked on to 12-0 as the Tigers added five more runs against minor leaguer Zach Messinger in the top of the eighth. The highlight was a grand slam from Jordan Yost, the Tigers’ fourth home run of the day, one that helped Detroit complete the cycle of homers, with a solo shot, two-run homer, three-run blast, and the grand slam.
All that Gil failed to achieve, Framber Valdez had no problems with, pitching the type of game the Tigers brought him in for — even if, in this case, it was just a spring training affair. Reverting back to the pitch distribution he had early in his career with Houston, Valdez leaned into the sinker to frustrate Yankee bats for five scoreless frames with far fewer curveballs than usual.
In typical Valdez fashion, his success was helped along by an innate ability to keep the ball on the ground, where he recorded seven of his 10 outs on balls in play. Shut down by the Tigers starter, the only run the Yankees scored came in the ninth on a Jonathan Ornelas RBI single to avoid the shutout.
The other half of the split-squad Yankees will take the field tonight in Sarasota, as a lineup led by Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ben Rice, and Jasson Domínguez will take on the Orioles at 6:05pm ET. Baltimore will have the broadcast and it’ll be a battle of veteran starters as Paul Blackburn squares off against Zach Eflin. And of course, Aaron Judge will also be in action for Team USA as they face the Dominican Republic in what should be a must-watch World Baseball Classic semifinal. David Bednar, Paul Goldschmidt, and Tim Hill could also appear for the U.S., with Austin Wells, Camilo Doval, and Amed Rosario in play for the D.R. That will start on FS1 at 8pm ET; my colleague Peter will have a game thread available for both since they’ll overlap in play.
After the rain-shortened game, Lindor told reporters it was a successful first game back and he's happy with the progress he's made up to this point.
"It was a really good experience," Lindor said. "Felt like I was pretty much like myself and I finished the game healthy. Overall, it was a good day for me. I appreciate the trainers, they have pushed me for a very long time now to be here today. I feel good."
Lindor has been ramping up his rehab from hamate bone surgery on Feb. 11, recently facing A.J. Minter in a live BP and playing defense in games on the backfields, but Sunday was his first Grapefruit League game.
He explained there will be times he still feels the injury in his hand/wrist, and will continue to feel that for a while, but took today as a positive step.
"There's going to be moments, yeah, for sure," Lindor said. "That's something the trainers have said from day one that I'm going to feel something. There was a bone removed and there's a lot of nerves there and soft tissue stuff. So yeah, there's moments I'm going to feel it.
"Today, I felt like it was a good day overall. Especially that I was able to play the four innings I was supposed to and take the three at-bats I was supposed to."
Francisco Lindor says that today was a "really good experience" for him:
"Felt like I was pretty much like myself and I finished the game healthy. Overall, it was a good day for me." pic.twitter.com/JAqs5fz6SF
Lindor added that he's "checked every single box" up to this point and will need to continue to do so before Opening Day. He believes "everything is going in the right direction" after having two offseason surgeries, including getting his power back.
The shortstop even noted that he plans on playing every single game in the regular season and will not need rest days due to the injuries.
"I don't think it's going to take time for the power to be there," Lindor responded to a question about potential delays in his power hitting. "It's one of those where, I feel fine right now, I'm in a good spot. I spent the whole offseason trying to hit the ball over 100 mph, even before my wrist injury, and think I did it once. Then today I hit two balls over 100 (mph). Just got to get a good swing and get the right pitch, I'm sure the is going to go if it's supposed to go."
He added: "Yeah, there's a little bit of a difference, but I feel good from both sides (of the plate). There's going to be a test throughout the rest of spring training... I feel good. Bottom line, I feel good, I'm in a good spot. I'm still very optimistic about Opening Day. God willing everything works out in the right way so I can be there and play."
Lindor mentioned he's talked with catcher Francisco Alvarez about the recovery from hamate bone surgery and "appreciates his pointers" on what to expect in the future. The shortstop also said he felt good after making his first diving play of the spring, as it gave him some confidence going forward.
When asked what stood out from the All-Star's first game, manager Carlos Mendoza pointed toward his "aggressiveness" at the plate and said it looked like a "normal" Lindor.
"The aggressiveness, the way he attacked pitches, he was just letting it loose," Mendoza said. "Good to see him impacting the baseball because I know that's probably a question for a lot of people. I think it was 108 (mph), that foul ball, and then it was like 106, 104, something like that.
"But it's just how normal he looked today. No hesitation. Like I said before the game, watching him go through his pregame work the last few days, watching him on the backfields. Yeah, he looked like Francisco Lindor."
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — After his struggles to find the strike zone, Hayden Birdsong seemed to find a breakthrough in his last spring outing. Now, the promising young starter might be broken.
An MRI revealed a Grade 2 sprain in the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, the Giants announced Sunday. Birdsong will fly to Dallas to seek a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister, but the diagnosis is a common precursor to Tommy John surgery.
“Certainly not the best-case scenario,” manager Tony Vitello said. “But hopefully we can get the best-case scenario of the unfortunate circumstances.”
Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong has a decision to make about his UCL. Getty Images
A Grade 2 strain typically means there is at least a partial tear in the ligament. Birdsong could attempt to rehab the injury and return this season without surgery. Reliever Randy Rodriguez pitched through a torn UCL but eventually needed to have it surgically repaired.
Birdsong was still around Sunday morning and “in good spirits,” according to Vitello, who had a brief conversation with him and the Giants’ medical staff. He said it would “probably be a day or two” before Birdsong decides one way or the other but added that “I would think” the 24-year-old right-hander would attempt to avoid surgery if possible.
“Obviously I’m not happy about it, but I feel like it’s one of those things where everybody kind of goes through it at this point,” Birdsong said. “Wish it wasn’t right now. I wish I could throw a couple seasons before something like this happens. Hopefully it’s not as bad as we think it is.”
Birdsong first reported discomfort in his elbow after throwing a scoreless inning Tuesday against the Guardians. He said that he felt a “pop” and a “rip” after a curveball to the last batter he faced.
“Just a freak (thing), one pitch,” Birdsong said. “It feels fine right now. Extension feels a little iffy, hurts a bit. … It was weird. It didn’t hurt (initially). I felt really weird and I threw it, and I was like, ‘That didn’t feel right.'”
The hard-throwing right-hander entered camp in competition for one of the final spots in the starting rotation or as a swingman out of the bullpen. He won a job in the Opening Day bullpen last spring and went on to post a 4.80 ERA over 21 appearances, including 10 starts.
But he struggled to command his electric arsenal, issuing 37 walks in 65 2/3 innings. He had a 3.25 ERA before walking 17 batters and surrendering 16 runs the final four times he took the mound.
Pitching coach Justin Meccage said they made an adjustment to Birdsong’s delivery before spring, but the same issues cropped up when exhibitions began.
Birdsong put himself behind the eight ball with eight runs, seven hits and three walks in his first two Cactus League appearances, recording a total of four outs. Only 33 of his 58 pitches across the two outings landed for strikes.
Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong was trying to earn either a rotation spot or as a swingman out of the bullpen. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
But after Birdsong’s last time out, Meccage said, “We were really encouraged about where he’s at [and] the progress that he’s made.”
Birdsong retired three of the four Cleveland batters he faced and threw 15 of his 21 pitches for strikes.
“It was 97 to 100 (mph) in the strike zone with four pitches,” Meccage said, later adding, “I think we’re to a point now where he’s feeling like, ‘OK, I can go out there and feel pretty good about what’s coming out of my hand.”
Then the discomfort started.
Straight from the department of bad timing.
“I don’t think the timing is ever good,” Vitello said before putting a positive spin on the news. “You can try to spin it [to him] as, ‘Now I can work on this’ … or ‘At least I have it behind me.’ He’s a pretty positive kid. … I think he’ll approach the whole deal the right way regardless of what it is.”
The Giants’ pitching depth was already a question after the only additions the team made over the winter were a pair of veteran starters on one-year deals, Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser.
President of baseball operations Buster Posey indicated the team was comfortable leaning on its assortment of young arms, beginning with Birdsong. The group also includes Roupp and McDonald, who appear primed to break camp with the big club, but also Carson Whisenhunt, Carson Seymour and Blade Tidwell, who haven’t necessarily looked like reliable depth options so far through spring.
Suddenly the stable of arms doesn’t look so stable.
“Yeah, I think a fair question of is there any doubt, or if you guys were going to throw out criticism, is: Is there the depth with the starting pitching when you remove a guy,” Vitello said. “But I think the depth, if you’re talking about the whole group, is still strong. …
“I would love to have Birdie be a part of that group because he does have a little bit of ability to swing back and forth between starting and bullpen. We’ll dive into who provides that depth on the starting roles but … I do feel good about the competitiveness and the depth.”
The Yankees fell to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon by a score of 12-1.
Here are the key takeaways...
-- Luis Gil was roughed up by the Tigers. After allowing four runs, including a three-run homer from Spencer Torkelson, in the first inning, the righty ended up allowing two more home runs in the next two innings.
Gil lasted just 3.0 innings (68 pitches), allowing seven earned runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out a pair.
-- On the bright side, Ryan Yarbrough, who previously was away from the team for the World Baseball Classic, pitched well in relief. The lefty went 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out two.
-- In the bottom of the sixth inning, with the Yankees trailing 7-0, the game entered a rain delay. But in classic Tampa weather fashion, the rain moved through quickly, and the tarp was off the field just a few minutes after the game was stopped.
-- Offensively, the Yankees couldn't do much of anything against Tigers offseason acquisition Framber Valdez. The lefty pitched 5.0 shutout innings, allowing just four hits while striking out three. Two of those hits came from 30-year-old Max Schuemann, who now has an OPS of 1.112 this spring.
-- Cody Bellinger went 0-for-2 and was replaced for a pinch-hitter in the sixth innings. Bellinger's spring average has now dipped just below .300 at .296. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Stanton went 0-for-2 with a strikeout as the Yankees designated hitter.
Next Up
The Yankees have another split squad matchup on Sunday evening, as they face the Baltimore Orioles at 6:05 P.M.
Mar 9, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Joc Pederson (3) looks on against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Today the Texas Rangers are back in Glendale, AZ where they will take on the two-time reigning World Series champions from Los Angeles with the final week of Cactus League action on the docket.
RHP Trey Supak has drawn the road game starting pitcher assignment for Texas while the Dodgers will counter with RHP River Ryan.
Today’s Lineups
RANGERS
DODGERS
Joc Pederson – 1B
Miguel Rojas – SS
Andrew McCutchen – LF
Kyle Tucker – RF
Sam Haggerty – 2B
Freddie Freeman – 1B
Mark Canha – RF
Teoscar Hernandez – LF
Alejandro Osuna – CF
Max Muncy – 3B
Tyler Wade – SS
Andy Pages – CF
Justin Foscue – DH
Alex Freeland – 2B
Jonah Bride – 3B
Zyhir Hope – DH
Willie MacIver – C
Eliezer Alfonzo – C
Trey Supak – RHP
River Ryan – RHP
The Dodgers have a telecast or you can listen to the radio broadcast via 105.3 The Fan or follow along on Gameday. First pitch from Camelback Ranch is scheduled for 3:05 pm CT.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 10: A general view of the stadium during the sixth inning of the Spring Training game between the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 10, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves and have 37 players in camp.
Optioned to Triple-A Reno:
RHP Drey Jameson
Reassigned to Minor League camp:
RHP John Curtiss
INF Luken Baker
Jameson and Curtiss were both players thought possible contenders for a bullpen spot. Indeed, there was some discussion that Jameson could be a closer this off-season, with improved velocity – he touched 98.7 mph in a game on March 1st. But it has been a bit of a struggle in the Cactus League, Jameson allowing eight hits and five walks in 5.1 innings. Curtiss hasn’t missed many bats: like Jameson he has as many walks as strikeouts, albeit only two of each over 5.2 innings. But I would lay good money that both men are going to see major-league action at some point this season.
After Ryne Nelson, we might see RHP Kevin Ginkel, RHP Ryan Thompson, RHP Taylor Clarke, RHP Drey Jameson, RHP Kade Strowd, RHP Isaiah Campbell and RHP Bryce Jarvis. I see Alek Thomas is back at Salt River Fields, after his spell playing for Mexico in the WBC. And speaking of which, you can use this thread to talk about the USA vs. DR semi-final, which kicks off at 5 pm Arizona time. Finally, this game will be on dbacks.tv, and we actually will get a proper Arizona broadcast of proceedings for once, hosted by Steve Berthiaume, alongside Tom Candiotti, with Todd Walsh on the field.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 06: Freddie Freeman #5 and Teoscar Hernández #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after scoring runs in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on March 06, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers play two games on Sunday, splitting their squad to battle both the Cubs in Mesa and the Rangers at Camelback Ranch.
Sunday split-squad info
Game 1: Dodgers vs. Rangers, Camelback Ranch
Game 2: Dodgers at Cubs, Sloan Park
Time: 1:05 p.m. PT for both
TV: vs. Rangers on SportsNet LA, at Cubs on Marquee Sports Network
Radio: vs. Rangers on AM 570
Build Your Winning Bracket!
SB Nation’s CBB expert Mike Rutherford and resident bracketologist Chris Dobbertean will answer all your questions this week and help guide you to bracket glory! Drop in SB Nation’s March Madness Feed all week long and we’ll have both on hand! (All times ET)
Mar 15, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) addresses the media at Clover Park on his first day back at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The Mets beat the Blue Jays in a rain-shortened exhibition game this afternoon in Port St. Lucie, and the most important part of the whole thing was that Francisco Lindor played in his first Grapefruit League game since undergoing hand surgery at the very beginning of spring training. Lindor went 1-for-3 with a run scored and played shortstop.
As for everyone else, here’s a quick rundown.
Marcus Semien went 1-for-2 with a home run.
Bo Bichette went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
Luis Robert went 2-for-2 with a run scored.
Brett Baty, who played first base in the game, joined Jorge Polanco and Francisco Alvarez in getting one hit in the game.
Mike Tauchman went 2-for-3 with a couple of runs scored.
Zach Thornton went three-and-two-thirds innings, gave up one run, struck out one, and didn’t walk anyone. It wouldn’t be surprising for him to be included in the next round of roster cuts following the ones the Mets made earlier today, but he’s acquitted himself nicely in his time in major league spring training.
Luke Weaver threw a scoreless inning, and Brooks Raley and a reliever named Dan Hammer each notched one out in their brief appearances.
Hagen Smith, who’s had a rough go of Cactus League so far this spring, makes his last start for the big club on Sunday. | (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
St. Patrick’s Day is just about upon us, or at least, the second of two parades is, which is where I hope many of you will be this afternoon instead of listening to a mid-level Spring Training baseball. That’s why I’m here!
Anyhow, the end of one of the more successful Spring Trainings (in terms of won-loss) in recent memory for the Sox is growing nearer and nearer, and the the lineups are beginning to resemble, if you squint, something that you might see hanging up in a Rate Field dugout a few weeks from now.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would have put William Bergolla as remaining in big league camp this deep into the spring. I like it, as do I like Lamonte Wade Jr.‘s run at a backup roster spot. The odd one out there, of course, is Hagen Smith, who won’t be getting a turn on the roster in April. But depending on how he looks out there today, he could expedite that timeline quite rapidly.
In an expected development, Braden Montgomery’s Cinderella run at a roster spot breaking camp with the big club came to an end today, as he and catch Josh Breaux were reassigned to minors camp. Both will end up in Charlotte to start the season Breaux as backstop emergency and Montgomery as next-up in center field or right. The former first-rounder’s spring (.348/.348/.652 in 12 games) made a huge impression on White Sox brass and should speed his 2026 debut on the South Side.
Here’s how Kansas City is planning on lining them up behind ace Cole Ragans, who himself is looking to build up innings after an injury-riddled campaign in 2025.
Feb 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Shane Drohan against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Milwaukee snapped a four-game losing streak yesterday in an 8-4 win over the Colorado Rockies. Today’s game pits the Brewers against another NL West opponent, the San Francisco Giants.
Shane Drohan will get the start in what will be his fourth appearance of the spring. The 6’3” lefty has racked up 10 strikeouts over 8 2/3 innings pitched so far, allowing six hits and three runs. DL Hall, Easton McGee and Jacob Waguespack are also expected to pitch for Milwaukee. Waguespack, a non-roster invitee, hasn’t allowed a run over six relief appearances this spring. On the bump for San Francisco is veteran lefty Robbie Ray, who put up a 3.65 ERA in 32 appearances for the Giants last season.
Sal Frelick will lead off again today, followed by Jake Bauers, who has been absolutely crushing the ball this spring. Bauers is hitting .500 (11-for-22) with three homers coming into today’s game. Christian Yelich, Garrett Mitchell, and Luis Rengifo make up the heart of the order. Hitting sixth and playing shortstop is David Hamilton, who came over from Boston along with Drohan. Rounding out the bottom of the lineup are Blake Perkins, Reese McGuire, and Cooper Pratt (at second base today).
You can catch a radio broadcast of today’s game on ESPN Milwaukee. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. CT.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) warms up with pitching coach/director of pitching Derek Johnson (36) at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Brandon Williamson has looked the part so far this spring in Goodyear, the ‘part’ being a guy who was a former 2nd round draft pick and consensus Top 100 overall prospect. A full year off in 2025 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery has apparently allowed his left arm – and left shoulder – to regain strength, and he’s tapping back into velocity that he’d not seen in years while eyeing a spot in the starting rotation of the Cincinnati Reds.
He’ll get a chance to stake another claim for a spot on the Opening Day roster on Sunday afternoon, and will do so in familiar territory over in Peoria. That’s because he’ll be facing the Seattle Mariners, the club who originally drafted him back in 2019 before shipping him to Cincinnati alongside Jake Fraley and Justin Dunn in the deal that sent current Cincinnati slugger Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker the other way back in 2022.
Sharing the mound with Williamson today will also be a former teammate of his, as George Kirby was Seattle’s 1st round pick back in the same draft where they took Williamson in the 2nd.
Sadly, there’s no TV feed for this one, so you’ll have to lean on Gameday and 700 WLW’s radio coverage to follow along.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 28: Cole Ragans #55 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Zach Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Kansas City Royals continue to barrel toward Opening Day; however, they’ve been missing a lot of key guys. And no, that’s not because of injuries, it’s because they are tearing it up in the World Baseball Classic and most of them are in the semifinals. Here is some of those key Royals and how they’ve fared in the WBC.
Anyways, back in Arizona, the Royals are struggling to win games, but that doesn’t matter a great deal, it’s about getting looks at some younger guys and others fighting for an Opening Day roster spot, which some are getting a longer look because of guys away for the WBC.
Cole Ragans gets the start today for Kansas City against divisional foe, the Chicago White Sox. Starling Marte is the designated hitter today, and a lot of “regular” guys start behind Cole today.
NORTH PORT, FL- FEBRUARY 22: JR Ritchie #92 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on February 22, 2026 at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s recap is going to be a short and sweet, as this game was light on action and light on Braves’ roster candidates, as Jose Suarez got the start, to be followed by JR Ritchie.
Suarez looked pretty good by his standards, striking out 3, walking 2, and accruing 10 whiffs over 4.0+ scoreless innings and 61 pitches thrown. He allowed 4 batted balls over 95 MPH, two of which were ground balls. Overall a strong outing for Jose. Joel Payamps took over for Jose in the fifth after Jose gave up a leadoff single. After a bunt hit and a soft flyout, Payamps stuck out Marsh and Bohm to end the inning.
JR Ritchie entered the game in the sixth and hit Adolis Garcia to start his outing. Ritchie settled in after that, inducing a soft flyout and striking out two, ending the inning. He carried that momentum into the second inning, striking out the first two batters and ending the inning with a Trea Turner pop-out. It was more of the same for the last two innings, as Ritchie ended his outing with 4.0 no-hit innings with 6 strikeouts and just the one HBP as the lone baserunner, needing 52 pitches to get the job done. He worked with a large pitch mix, as is his norm and did so to devastating effect. That’s a really impressive outing for the Opening Day roster candidate and top prospect.
On the offensive side, the Braves’ quad-A lineup squandered a leadoff triple in the first and scattered a few baserunners but didn’t put up any runs against the Philly starter, Walker…or first reliever in Alvarado…or any other Philly pitcher until Tyler Tolve launched a solo homer in the ninth inning. Brett Wisely and Luke Williams each had two-hit days, which were also the only Braves hits outside of the Tolve homer. Luis Guanipa got a plate appearance in the ninth and struck out.
Join us again tomorrow as the Braves take on the Rays at 1:05 PM ET.
A.J. Ewing / | Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Mets have made another round of roster cuts in big league camp, as the following players have been sent to the minor league side:
Pitchers: Carl Edwards Jr., Joe Jacques, Ryan Lambert
Catcher: Kevin Parada
Infielders: Ryan Clifford, Jackson Cluff, Grae Kessinger, Jacob Reimer
Outfielders: Jihwan Bae, A.J. Ewing, Jose Ramos
The team notes that there are now 53 players in major league camp. With Opening Day set to take place just eleven days from now, more cuts are surely coming soon.
Of the ones that the Mets made today, none are particularly surprising. While A.J. Ewing has fared well in his time in major league spring training games, he figures to start the year in the upper minors, either by returning to Double-A Binghamton or starting the season with a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse.
Ryan Lambert was impressive in his brief stint in big league camp, too, but having struggled with walks in Binghamton last year—despite an outstanding 1.71 ERA in 42.0 innings there—it’s not shocking to see that the Mets might want him to get a bit more time in the upper minors before he makes his major league debut.
Even with players returning from the World Baseball Classic, some of the players who’ve been sent to minor league camp will get some appearances in the remainder of the Mets’ Grapefruit League games, as they’re all still eligible to do so.
