Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, throws against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in...
The morning belonged to cameras, photoshoots, and cover stories.
By the afternoon, it belonged to the mound.
Shohei Ohtani was revealed as the April cover of Sports Illustrated–posed beside Aaron Judge, both men dressed like baseball’s answer to royalty in suits underneath the headline: “Super Powered.”
Shohei Ohtani was revealed as the April cover of Sports Illustrated–posed beside Aaron Judge.
Hours later at Camelback Ranch, the illusion gave way to reality. The tailored suits were gone. The spotlight remained.
Ohtani made his 2026 Cactus League pitching debut against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. He dominated his rivals with 4 and 1 third scoreless innings on 61 pitches.
Ohtani made his 2026 Cactus League pitching debut against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. AP
Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound for the Dodgers, starting their Cactus League game against the rival Giants. Here’s the first out of the game. pic.twitter.com/FX9O7tGAFT
Ohtani did not hit in the game, but will be the DH in Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts lineup on Friday.
Inside the cover story by Tom Verducci, Ohtani and Judge are leading a “new golden era of baseball.” That might be selling it short.
Ohtani and Judge have seven MVPs between them and the former can dominate you twice in the same night like he did in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Roberts said Ohtani is expected to pitch again in the Freeway Series, setting up his 2026 regular season debut at Dodger Stadium against the Cleveland Guardians somewhere between March 30 and April 1st.
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of Wednesday's game. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
A sparse crowd braved the heat, which was approaching 100 degrees when Dodgers right-hander Shohei Ohtani walked off the mound at Camelback Ranch. But those who did were treated to a dominant pitching performance from the four-time MVP in his first start of spring training.
They repaid the favor with a standing ovation.
"I've learned that you don't ever underestimate or try to make predictions on what Shohei's going to do,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He's always going to deliver. Yeah, I thought he would be a little bit more rusty than he was today. The breaking ball was good, got some swing and miss. The fastball command, he was working ahead in the count today. So across the board, really good."
Ohtani limited the San Francisco Giants to one hit and overshot the innings goal Roberts laid out Wednesday morning by pitching to one batter in the fifth inning. Ohtani didn’t give up a run in those 4 ⅓ innings, and the only other blemishes on the performance were a pair of walks and a hit batter.
“I was pretty happy with the pitch count today,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “In terms of the next outing, I do want to be better at executing in two-strike counts. I just didn’t finish off hitters as much as I wanted to.”
Ohtani is scheduled to make a start in the Freeway Series against the Angels before his first start of the season. If the rest of spring training goes smoothly, Roberts said he expects Ohtani to be ready to throw about five innings in his first regular-season start.
At that length, the Dodgers won’t need to designate long relievers to piggyback Ohtani's starts. But Roberts stressed the importance of still carrying relievers who can throw multiple innings as the starters continue to build up early in the season.
“Once the season starts you’ve got to see how he’s feeling, how his stuff looks, how he’s throwing the baseball,” Roberts said after the Dodgers' 5-1 win that was stopped after the eighth inning due to the heat.
Most of Ohtani’s build-up has taken place outside of competition, as he balanced playing in the World Baseball Classic for Team Japan as a position player, and addressing pitching on the side. By last week, he’d ramped up to a four-inning live batting practice session against his teammates on the national team in Miami.
“It actually didn’t feel like it was my first spring training outing,” Ohtani said. “I do see this as more of an extension of a live BP situation. So it didn't feel too bad going into this game.”
Ohtani didn’t hit on Wednesday. With the heat and his unique spring, the team wanted to let him focus on pitching. He’s expected to be the designated hitter in Cactus League play Friday.
“In terms of the hitting, it did help that I played in an atmosphere that was pretty intense and competitive,” Ohtani said. “So the fact that I had to get things going earlier in the offseason maybe was the only thing that really affected my preparation. But I think it helped me more so than it hurt me, as I played through these meaningful games in the World Baseball Classic.”
Ohtani used a wide range of his arsenal Friday, landing an especially effective curveball for a called third strike against Heliot Ramos in the fourth inning.
“Never really surprised with him,” catcher Dalton Rushing said. “Everyone knows what he's capable of. Everyone knows his main goal when he goes out there. He expects perfection every single time. And I think he was very, very close to it today.”
Roki Sasaki erratic in latest Cactus League start
Right-hander Roki Sasaki’s command issues, a theme this spring, returned in his start Tuesday evening against the Royals. But Roberts doubled down Wednesday morning on the team’s plan for Sasaki.
“He’s going to be one of our starters,” Roberts said. “I’ve been very consistent in the sense of, we don’t solely evaluate spring training in its entirety alone. So with that, he’s obviously got things to prove — consistency of getting guys out, consistency of strike-throwing. But he’s going to get that opportunity to start the season and we’ll see where we go from there.”
Sasaki pitched in parts of five innings Tuesday, for a total of 3 ⅓ innings of work. Along with the four hits and three runs he surrendered, Sasaki issued four walks. Three consecutive free passes in the third inning prompted Roberts to temporarily pull Sasaki from the game.
"The first two innings I actually felt pretty good, intensity-wise,” Sasaki said through an interpreter. “It was OK. But the third inning I threw a lot of two-seamers that kind of threw my mechanics a little off."
Roberts also used a mound visit in the fourth inning when Sasaki said his calves were close to cramping up.
Roster moves
The Dodgers officially selected the contract of utility player Santiago Espinal, as expected. They also optioned right-hander Kyle Hurt, after he recorded a 3.68 ERA in seven Cactus League appearances this spring.
“He’s had a great spring,” Roberts said. “But I think for Kyle it’s the thought of, he hasn’t pitched a whole lot the last couple years. We realize how talented he is. But to get him to get a foundation this year — be able to go back-to-back, pitch two innings in a night then see how he is on the third day to go out and pitch and see how he responds. Those are things that are just kind of getting some tread, some wear on his tires for an analogy. That’s what he needs to do.”
Hurt was sidelined for much of the 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and finished with triple-A Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers also optioned right-handed pitcher River Ryan and reassigned infielder Ryan Fitzgerald to minor league camp.
While the spotlight was on the spring return of Gerrit Cole, another right-hander made waves in the Yankees' win on Wednesday afternoon.
Pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange shut out the Red Sox for four innings, allowing two hits, one walk and striking out four. He extended his scoreless streak to 11 innings and lowered his spring ERA to a minuscule 0.66.
The 22-year-old entered the preseason as the team's No. 2 prospect and continues to show why. And while his status for the Opening Day roster is still up in the air -- albeit very unlikely -- his teammates continue to take notice.
“I don’t have any doubts he could help us right now,” catcher Austin Wells told reporters, including Bryan Hoch, in Tampa after the game. “I don’t know what the process is or what that’s going to look like, but the way he pitched today, he could definitely get a lot of outs for us.”
When asked if he believes he's ready for the big leagues, the 6-foot-7 Lagrange simply said, "yeah."
“Attacking the zone, being able to execute with two strikes more consistently, staying calm on the mound regardless of the situation,” Lagrange said through an interpreter. “I think doing that gives me a good idea that I’m ready to compete.”
What could impede Lagrange's promotion is the stacked rotation the Yankees have and the experienced bullpen arms they expect to bring with them to San Francisco when the season begins March 25.
The organization will likely want Lagrange to get more seasoning in the minors to start -- he has yet to pitch in Triple-A in his career -- and he was solid with High-A and Double-A a year ago. In 24 games, Lagrange pitched to a 3.53 ERA and struck out 168 batters across 120.0 innings.
New York could surprise folks and bring the youngster on to start the season, but as manager Aaron Boone said during Wednesday's game, he and the organization are thinking about Lagrange's long-term.
"Carlos has been so impressive," Boone said. "You see the stuff, but the makeup matches it. We’re really excited about his future. We not only feel like he has a chance to impact us in the long haul, but it could be sooner than anyone expects to. He’s really close to being ready and he has a bright career in front of him."
Mar 3, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers (9) reacts after walking against Great Britain in the third inning at the American Family Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The Brewers dropped both ends of split-squad action today. At home, the “varsity” squad faced the Los Angeles Angels with Kyle Harrison the first guy on the mound. Harrison had to leave early because of a blister, but got beat up a little bit to the tune of four runs — only one earned — in 2 2/3 innings. The bullpen did their job, and the Brewer offense nearly fought all the way back, but they couldn’t quite complete the comeback and lost 4-3. In Peoria, the “JV” team faced the Seattle Mariners behind starting pitcher Carlos Rodriguez. For the first few innings, it was a see-saw affair, but Seattle scored three in the fifth to take a 7-3 lead, and the score didn’t change after that.
Today wasn’t a great outing for Harrison, a guy trying to make an impression on the folks who make the roster decisions; his fastball sat 92-93 (down a little bit from usual) and while he was still missing bats (10 whiffs, three strikeouts) he gave up four hits and four runs in his outing, though only one of those runs was earned — three of them came when Jeimer Candelario popped a three-run homer immediately following a two-out fielding error by Luis Rengifo. I would assume the blister that forced him from the game early will not be a lingering issue.
The rest of the Brewer pitching staff fared better against the Angels. After Jesús Broca finished the third, Garrett Stallings was fortunate to not allow more runs in the fourth: Denzer Guzman and Randy De Jesus led off the inning with a double and single, respectively, but Guzman was retired on a fielder’s choice, Candelario struck out, and with two outs De Jesus was gunned down at home by Garrett Mitchell after a Donovan Walton single. So Stallings allowed three hits in the inning but no runs.
As for offensive notables in the Angels game, Jake Bauers was 2-for-4 with a double and his fourth spring homer (110 mph and 432 feet, no cheapie), Luis Rengifo was 1-for-3 with a solo homer (his second), and Andrew Vaughn was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Against Seattle, Tyler Black, Blake Perkins, Cooper Pratt, and Marco Dinges all had multiple hits; Black had a two-RBI triple and a sac fly, giving him three RBIs on the day. Dinges had the team’s only other extra-base hit, a double.
The other “headliner” pitchers in this game performed quite well. Aaron Ashby pitched two hitless innings, allowing only a walk while striking out two. His spring training ERA is down to 1.35, and his fastball reached 97.7 mph in this one. DL Hall also threw two scoreless innings; he allowed a two-out double in his second inning, but retired the side on the next batter. Hall struck out three, didn’t walk anyone, and his fastball topped out at an encouraging 95.1 mph, though most of his fastballs were in the 93-94 range. Brian Fitzpatrick finished things off by striking out the side in the ninth after the leadoff hitter reached on an error.
In the Seattle game, Rodriguez got beat up a bit, as he allowed four earned runs on three hits and three walks in four innings, including homers given up to Brendan Donovan and Luke Raley. Easton McGee also got banged around to the tune of three runs on two hits and a walk (and some bad sequencing) in his one inning; Randy Arozarena hit a two-out, two-run homer after Raley had already doubled in a run. Sammy Peralta, Drew Rom, and Peter Strzelecki all pitched scoreless innings after that.
Not exactly a day to write home about. The Brewers have a rare spring training night game tomorrow, when they’ll take on the Rangers at 8:10 p.m. CT. Brandon Woodruff is expected to start that game, his second outing of the spring.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 16: Santiago Espinal #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers holds his bat on the field prior to a Spring Training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch on March 16, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pretty much since the day he signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, Santiago Espinal was talked about in camp as someone very much in the mix for making the opening day roster. On Wednesday, the Dodgers made it official, selecting the contract of the veteran infielder.
Two and a half weeks later, Roberts told reporters in Arizona, “It’s hard to imagine [Espinal] not being on the team.”
Espinal later that night hit two home runs, and has been getting fantastic results in spring training, with 16 hits in 39 at-bats, including four doubles, and five walks, hitting .410/.447/.667.
But his making the roster doesn’t feel like an overreaction to spring stats, but rather seeing proof of concept of someone who was signed for a specific role. After all, he was used all spring like a veteran getting ready for the season, not necessarily in a dogged fight for a job. He started all 16 of his games thus far, mostly at third base, with a little bit of second base, first base, designated hitter, and right field.
For his career Espinal has played mostly second and third base, with a smattering of corner outfield. A career .291/.344/.409 hitter with a 107 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, Espinal figures to face a lot of southpaws, much like the perceived role intended for fellow right-handed-hitting infielder Andy Ibáñez, who signed a one-year deal in January but was designated for assignment a few weeks later before getting claimed by the A’s.
The Mets announced their roster of prospects for the 2026 Spring Breakout game ahead of Thursday's exhibition.
The 25-man roster is filled with growing stars, including seven of SNY contributor Joe DeMayo's top 10 in the system, per his updated top 30 prospect list that was released earlier in March.
A.J. Ewing, Ryan Clifford, Elian Peña, and 2025 draft pick Mitch Voit are some of the position players, while Jack Wenninger and Jonathan Santucci headline the group of pitchers.
New York's prospects will take on the Tampa Bay Rays' prospects on Thursday, March 19, at 7:10 p.m. from Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Here is the full roster, with SNY's Mets top 30 ranking in parentheses:
MLB Los Angeles Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It was all about Shohei Ohtani today, making his first start this spring and showcasing the stuff that makes him one of the filthiest pitchers in the game—Ohtani pitched into the fifth inning when he was relieved by Edgardo Henríquez, helping Los Angeles on their way to a 5-1 win over the Giants. Possessing one of the more vast arsenals in the game, Ohtani sat roughly a mile per hour slower on his two fastballs (sinker and four-seamer), which is to be expected. The more surprising bit was that all of his off-speed pitches came significantly slower than usual, not that it had any negative effect on his performance. For instance, the sweeper came in at an average of 82.8 MPH, 2.2 lower than his average last season.
Other than a couple of free passes, not finding the zone quite so frequently with his four-seam fastball, Ohtani didn’t give the Giants much of a chance, allowing only a hit in his 4.1 innings of work. Keeping track of his workload, Ohtani left the game on 61 pitches, pretty much ready for the start of the regular season.
It’s only spring training, but don’t tell Freddie Freeman that. The Dodgers’ star first baseman has been on fire this spring and managed his first long shot, going down below the zone to connect on a curveball against Landon Roupp. Reaching base safely twice against Roupp, Freeman is now hitting .423 in 28 at-bats, the second-highest mark among Dodger regulars. Freeman only trails Teoscar Hernández, whose outstanding spring offers a bit more hope that he can turn the page on what was a disappointing regular season in 2025. The Dodgers’ starting left fielder was responsible for one of the five RBI from the Dodgers.
Maybe it was Freeman who was hot, or perhaps just his spot in the lineup, given that his replacement proceeded to hit the second Dodger home run of the game. Former Red Nick Senzel went yard, thus raising his OPS this spring above 1.000.
The Giants’ sole run of the game came on a solo shot allowed by Tanner Scott in the eighth inning. The latest victim of Victor Bericoto, one of the standout performers for the Giants this spring.
Up next
The Dodgers are off on Thursday, returning to action against another divisional opponent on Friday as Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start against the San Diego Padres, his last start before the beginning of the regular season. The first pitch is at 6:05 PM Pacific time.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Harrison Bader was born in New York, raised to root for the Yankees and hasn’t come within a hundred miles of Half Dome in his nine years in the big leagues.
“I’d play the same way if I was in Yosemite,” Bader told The California Post when asked about corralling the spacious, angled outfield at Oracle Park. “If anything, there’s more room to go make some plays. I’m excited. It’s gonna be a challenge, so I can’t wait.”
Harrison Bader was born in New York, raised to root for the Yankees, and now will roam center field for the Giants.
Even the most routine fly balls seemed to be a challenge for the Giants at times last season. By any metric, their outfielders ranked among the worst in the majors.
Whether you look at Outs Above Average or Defensive Runs Saved, the Giants possessed the worst defenders at their positions in two of the three outfield spots.
“Ultimately my job is to understand what was happening last year and try to make or create a better spot to put our outfielders in,” said Shane Robinson, who was promoted from the Triple-A staff to serve as manager Tony Vitello’s first base coach and outfield coordinator.
“I think guys are on board with maybe some more aggressiveness and a little bit of tweaks when it comes to outfield positioning and jumps. Easy things to correct that, if we do, we should be in a better spot as a team.”
Will Brennan, another offseason addition to the outfield mix, described Bader as “a wizard” in center field. He brings more than his own defensive prowess — responsible for the fourth-most Defensive Runs Saved among all active outfielders.
With him roaming center, Jung Hoo Lee will slide over to right field, and Heliot Ramos won’t have to worry about so much ground in left.
Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee will slide over to right field this season. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The two metrics rated Ramos the worst left fielder and Lee the worst center fielder in MLB last season. The eye test, for the most part, backed up the numbers.
Bader sees it differently.
“I don’t think those guys really need help, man,” he said. “Honestly, I’ve been watching them. Listen, they move great, they’re instinctual, they have tools like crazy. They don’t need my help. I just think we need to focus on where we’re positioning.”
The Giants, under Bob Melvin last season, shifted their defenders at the lowest rate of all 30 clubs, according to Statcast data. Their outfield positioning was tied for the fourth-least effective in the majors, by Defensive Runs Saved.
“It’s hard to steal a base if you have a s—ty lead. It’s hard to catch a ball if you’re in a bad position,” Bader said. “I think if we just focus on that and why we were positioned the way we were last year and focus on proper positioning this year, I think it gives us a better chance of just making routine plays.”
Bader’s presence in center also frees up the corner outfielders to take more chances. Through a club interpreter, Lee said he thought Giants outfielders showed “a lack of aggressiveness.”
Ramos sought out Robinson and new bench coach Jayce Tingler this offseason looking to improve from last season. Vitello described him as “a man on a mission.”
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Communication was one issue Vitello diagnosed. “A lot of it is just them taking charge and responsibility for that part,” he said. Another was familiarity. It was Lee’s first full MLB season, the second for Ramos, and right field fixture Mike Yastrzemski was traded at the deadline.
It wasn’t such an issue that it prevented the Giants from asking Lee to shift positions. But it would seemingly not make it any easier for the new position group to jell when all three missed chunks of time in camp representing their countries at the World Baseball Classic.
Harrison Bader, in his first season with the Giants, played for Team Israel at the World Baseball Classic. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
There was never a doubt in Bader’s mind that he would compete for Team Israel, even while adapting to a new team.
“You get an opportunity to represent people and culture, something so much bigger than just baseball,” he said. “It’s my culture, my background. It’s part of me.”
Lee was able to get some reps in right field because Korea “has our own Harrison Bader,” he said. But he added that he would still like to get more experience at the position.
Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos won’t have to worry about covering so much ground in left with Harrison Bader in center. Getty Images
Still, after helping Korea advance out of the group stage for the first time since 2009, Lee didn’t view the outfielders’ side quests for their national teams as anything but a positive.
“I feel like there’s going to be a synergy effect,” he said.
With attention turning to Opening Day, now just more than a week away, Bader acknowledged, “I wasn’t expecting to feel so rushed when I came back.” He said he’s focused on “maximizing every day” for the remainder of camp.
He’s not too worked up about the Giants’ opponent March 25.
“They’re a very talented team. I have a lot of respect for a lot of guys over there,” Bader said of the Yankees. “But it’s a baseball game. I’ve played a million baseball games in my life. Prepare and attack accordingly. Go out there and have some fun. It should be a really special experience.”
MIAMI — Having set attendance and broadcast viewer records, the World Baseball Classic will return in 2029 or 2030 and at some future point could be moved to midseason, when clubs would be less likely to restrict players.
Since the WBC’s inception in 2006, it has been played during spring training. Tournament rules include pitch count restrictions, and teams can demand tougher limits or deny players permission to participate.
“Obviously we have commitments to Fox in terms of the All-Star Game in the middle of the season through ’28,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday during an interview with The Associated Press. “As the game continues to evolve, we have talked about midseason tournaments in general. And certainly if we decided to get serious about this, about a midseason tournament, this would be an ideal opportunity.”
Fan interest for the WBC continues to grow
This year’s WBC drew 1,619,839 fans for 47 games, a 24% increase over the previous high of 1,306,414 in 2023. The initial tournament in 2006 drew 740,451 for 39 games.
The most-watched 2006 matchup was Mexico’s second-round win over the U.S. at 2.46 million on ESPN.
This year’s most-viewed game through Sunday was the Americans’ semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic at 7.37 million on FS1 and Fox Deportes. That topped the previous high of 5.2 million for the 2023 final on FS1, Fox Deportes and Fox Sports streaming services. Numbers for Tuesday's final aren’t yet available.
“There’s no resemblance to where we started in 2006,” Manfred said. “This one, I feel like it went to a different level. We set an attendance record after the early play. By the time we got into the semis and the final it was all gravy.”
The Ohtani effect has been key
Shohei Ohtani striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the last out of the 2023 WBC was a seminal moment. A sport that emerged in the U.S. in the 19th century took until the 21st century to establish a truly global competition.
“The WBC is kind of a springboard for the rest of our international efforts,” Manfred said. “It gives you kind of a cornerstone to work from in terms of making long-term business relationships with sponsors, broadcasters and whatnot.”
Fans from baseball-mad countries like Japan, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have watched the tourney closely since its inception. Japan has three titles, while the DR and Venezuela have each won once.
The U.S. also has just one title, in 2017, despite using an All-Star roster this year led by captain Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper and Paul Skenes. Judge was appointed U.S. captain last April and his early commitment sparked other top players to join.
Judge called the WBC crowds “bigger and better than the World Series.” Italy’s run to the semifinals this year awakened baseball interest in a soccer-crazed country, even though games started in the middle of the night.
“I just told the guys that they are the champions of this tournament,” Italy manager Francisco Cervelli said after the Azzurri were eliminated by Venezuela, the eventual champion. “They revolutionized Italy. They put another sport on the map.”
A midseason tournament likely would lead to fewer stars declining or being held back. Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal agreed with Detroit to be limited to one appearance, and the U.S. started 24-year-old rookie Nolan McLean in the final. The U.S. lost 3-2 to Venezuela, which rallied in the ninth inning against Garrett Whitlock to win its first title.
Closer Mason Miller was held out by DeRosa, who promised the San Diego Padres he would be used only in a save situation.
“Certainly if it was moved to the middle of the season, I don’t think you would have any nos for competing in it,” DeRosa said.
Could the Olympics be next?
MLB and the players’ association are negotiating over having big leaguers participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The six-nation baseball tournament, which includes the U.S.. Dominican Republic and Venezuela, would be played during an extended All-Star break. That event could impact the decision on when the seventh WBC will be played.
MLB and the players’ association have matching equity shares that are the most in the WBC, with Nippon Professional Baseball, the Korea Baseball Organization and the World Baseball Softball Confederation owning minority stakes.
“The issue for us is whether we do it in ‘29 or in ’30, three years or four years? I’m getting a lot of email from people today saying don’t make us wait four more years for this,” Manfred said. “I do think a three- or four-year cycle is probably about right for the event. The timing is going to turn on what we do with respect to related sorts of international efforts. I remain optimistic about the Olympics and obviously if we play in the Olympics it’s a short time from July of ‘28 ’till the spring of 29 and that’s something we’ll have to take into account. I’m not saying it’s outcome determinative, but it’s something we’ll have to think about.”
Mar 15, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) smiles against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The last time Cole pitched in a game was March 6 of last year, an outing in which he was so ineffective that he and the Yankees guessed correctly that his elbow was not right.
So Wednesday’s outing was both an affirmation and an evaluation: The fact that Cole was throwing in a Grapefruit League game a year after surgery was the latest indication that his recovery is going well. That he showed his usual velocity and showcased secondary stuff in a quick scoreless inning meant that his elbow withstood the very Grapefruit League test it failed this time last year.
“I just wanted to enjoy all of it. That was my goal for today. No reservations. Try not to judge yourself too hard,” Cole said. “Just have fun. No thoughts about wanting to take a little bit off. Just go ahead and let it fly.”
It was just 53 weeks ago Wednesday, Dr. Neal ElAttrache cut into Cole’s elbow, reconstructed his ulnar collateral ligament, and inserted an internal brace to support it. By all accounts -- and most importantly Cole’s -- everything since has gone as well as anyone could ask.
Many pitchers returning from elbow surgery experience setbacks, or do not see their velocity return until several months or even a full season after their return. Cole touched 98 MPH with both fastballs Wednesday, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone said multiple times he feels his ace’s command seems to have returned.
In the first six weeks of camp, Cole ramped up from throwing regular bullpens to live batting practice sessions. He threw 35 pitches in what amounted to two innings while facing Yankees hitters five days ago. When his body bounced back successfully from that outing, Cole and the Yankees faced a choice.
“Throw more pitches in the same environment, or elevate the environment,” Cole said. “And based on what we had accomplished in the four [live batting practices] before that, the next step was to elevate the environment and see how things respond.”
Cole didn’t treat Wednesday like a regular start. He and catcher Austin Wells didn’t talk gameplans beforehand. Wednesday’s game was not meant to test Cole’s ability to work through a proven big league lineup – and, in fairness, the Red Sox did not exactly send one.
Mar 18, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Instead, what Wednesday’s outing offered was unpredictability. And when speedy Red Sox outfielder Braiden Ward bunted the first pitch Cole threw up the first base line, the 35-year-old sprinted and slid to try to field it – moves he hasn’t had to execute in quite some time. A few batters later, Cole sprinted back over to receive a throw from Jazz Chisholm Jr. that retired the side.
“I missed the big [pitcher fielding practice] group today because I had to pitch today for the first time,” Cole said. “It’s the first set of PFPs that I missed, and I ended up getting my work in so it was all good.”
While the initial sprint and slide paused hearts in the Yankees dugout, Cole survived the whole experience so effortlessly that he went to the bullpen afterward to throw three more three-pitch sequences. Combined with warmups for his inning and those bullpen batters, Cole’s day finished right around 30 pitches, in line with his outings in recent weeks.
“It was exciting. Had the nerves over there, too, knowing obviously who he is to our team and what he means to us,” Boone said. “The long road, another part of the journey back. I thought he looked good.”
The next step in Cole’s journey is not clear. He said he will pitch a bullpen a few days from now, then will plan to make another game-like outing at some point in the next six or seven days, in keeping with his schedule so far. He said he will not travel with the Yankees to San Francisco for their opener next week, but does plan to be in New York for the home opener April 3; The minor league season begins around then anyway, and Cole will need several rehab outings with affiliates before he returns to the majors.
The Yankees open their regular season one week from Wednesday. Obviously, Cole will not be active when they do. Neither will Carlos Rodon, who is working his way back from shoulder surgery and is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Thursday. Clarke Schmidt, who underwent Tommy John surgery a few months after Cole, threw an extensive flat ground session with cameras watching his every move.
All three would likely be in the Opening Day rotation if healthy. But this Yankees season will probably depend as much as what they do during April and May anyway.
Because as untouchable as Cam Schlittler was in October, as sturdy as Will Warren was in his first year of full-time service, and as much potential as newly acquired Ryan Weathers flashes at his best, a rotation built around them and anchored by Max Fried – like the Yankees will be to start the season – is not exactly a sure thing.
A rotation with Schlittler, Warren, Weathers, and Schmidt behind Cole, Fried, and Rodon, meanwhile, looks as deep as any starting rotation this side of Dodger Stadium. The key for the Yankees, then, is to make sure that nothing happens in the next two months of Cole’s rehabilitation process that will compromise what happens in the months after his return.
And speaking of that return, Cole and his manager insist that even with perfect progress, nothing about his timeline has changed. They have targeted June 1 for weeks, and one healthy Grapefruit League inning will not inspire a rush to return sooner.
“I wouldn’t commit to it. Nothing has changed,” Cole said. “Still on track. Hoping it plays out that way. I’d be thrilled if it did.”
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Heliot Ramos is back from the World Baseball Classic and still bleach blond, the hairstyle adopted by all of the Puerto Rican team. He plans to keep it.
“F— it,” the Giants outfielder declared upon his return to the team. “I want to do braids.”
Heliot Ramos of Team Puerto Rico looks on after the game against Team Italy at Daikin Park on March 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Team Italy defeated Team Puerto Rico 8-6. Getty Images
Still, some of Ramos’ teammates will have an even more lasting way to remember the tournament. Luis Arraez, Jose Butto and Logan Webb all had a little extra weight in their luggage returning from Miami.
Back in Scottsdale, Giants manager Tony Vitello watched the game with some members of his coaching staff as the team enjoyed a day off.
“It was a phenomenal final game of the tournament,” Vitello said. Bryce Harper tied the score at 2 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, which Vitello called “a pretty magical moment, even despite the loss, I think that will still be remembered as such.”
Harper’s game-tying homer set up Arraez to lead off the top of the ninth. He was hitless in three at-bats when he came to the plate against Garrett Whitlock. The typically aggressive Arraez worked a walk and was replaced by a pinch-runner who scored what became the decisive run.
“As soon as Bryce hit that homer … the first thing I said was, ‘Our guy’s leading off, so they’d better score,'” Vitello said. “He found a way to get on base. You kind of knew even more so that he’d get on base because he hadn’t (yet). I feel like determination climbs as the situation grows for him.”
José Buttó of Team Venezuela pitches against Team United States during the sixth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images
Aaron Judge came to the plate as the potential tying run with Venezuela leading 2-0 in the sixth inning, and Butto got the Yankees slugger to ground out to end the inning. The Giants’ bullpen hopeful didn’t allow a run over 5 2/3 innings in the tournament, and Vitello sees him as a high-leverage option.
“It makes sense that when you go out there and the crowd is the loudest baseball crowd arguably ever and the hitters are all major-league All-Stars,” Vitello said. “He is incredibly pro-like in his work everyday. Almost one of our more militaristic — not that he doesn’t have personality — but how he handles his business.”
Manager Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants looks on during the first inning of the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Getty Images
The Giants were the only team in the majors represented more than once on the All-WBC team. Webb, who made two starts and allowed one run over 8 2/3 innings, was one of three pitchers selected. Arraez, who batted .308 with a 1.059 OPS and drove in 10 runs, earned the lone honor at first base.
Jung Hoo Lee helped Korea advance out of the group stage for the first time since 2009 — when he was 10 years old — and Ramos started all five games for Puerto Rico, which also made it to the quarterfinals.
Venezuela Luis Arraez reacts after he grounds out during the third inning in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic against the United States, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami. AP
Vitello hopes the Giants can reap the benefits all their representatives took away from the tournament. Dave Groeschner, their head trainer, joined Webb on Team USA. Longtime coaches Ron Wotus and Dave Righetti were part of Team Italy’s coaching staff.
“More than I think there’s a story to tell for all those teams,” Vitello said. “Venezuela obviously had the passion going. Italy had kind of a cool little culture going on. Webby and Groesch will be able to tell us about what is it like to manage that many stars in one dugout.”
Arraez, Butto and Webb were all expected back in camp Wednesday. As long as there were no travel complications, Vitello said he expected Webb to make his next Cactus League start on Thursday.
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LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 13: Konnor Griffin #75 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during batting practice prior to the start of the spring training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 13, 2026 in Lakeland, Florida. The Pirates defeated the Tigers 7-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home today against the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to grab a win against the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training.
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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Jesús Rodriguez #79 of the San Francisco Giants bats during the seventh 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
The San Francisco Giants have a whole lot of camp cuts to make in the next week. They entered Wednesday with 49 players still in Major League camp; next Wednesday, that number needs to be 26.
But they’re slowly chipping away at it. After cutting a pair of players on Tuesday, the Giants sent four more packing on Wednesday: left-handed pitcher Carson Whisenhunt and catcher Jesús Rodríguez, who were optioned, along with third baseman Parks Harber and infielder Buddy Kennedy, who were reassigned to Minor League camp. The difference in wording between those two is mostly inconsequential: it just means that Whisenhunt and Rodríguez are on the 40-man roster, while Harber and Kennedy are not.
Whisenhunt was always a long shot to make the Opening Day roster: he remains one of the team’s top starting pitching prospects, so the Giants likely want him to continue developing in that role, and he lacks the fastball velocity of some of his teammates like Hayden Birdsong, Blade Tidwell, and Keaton Winn, making him less of a fit in a bullpen role. His spring was up-and-down: on the one hand, he showed increased life with his fastball, boosting his velo and striking out 14 batters in 9.1 innings. On the other hand, he had trouble with location, and his fastball was often way too hittable: he gave up some of the loudest contact in camp, while allowing eight hits and eight walks, resulting in a 9.64 ERA and a 3.26 FIP. He’ll surely be up at some point this year.
Rodríguez was the favorite to win the backup catcher job when the offseason began, but that changed when the team added Daniel Susac in the Rule 5 Draft. But Rodríguez had as good of a spring as he could have hoped for, going 12-34 with one home run, four doubles, three walks, and just five strikeouts, for a .964 OPS and a 148 wRC+. The defense behind the plate — which is his biggest question mark — was solid, and earned strong reviews from his coaches. And he showed off not just his versatility, but the team’s desire to get his bat in the lineup by spending a not-insignificant amount of time playing both second base and left field. He also stole a pair of bases in as many attempts. He seems likely to play a big role this year, it will just have to wait a while.
As for the non-roster invitees, Harber — who has flown up the team’s prospect list ever since the Giants acquired him in the Camilo Doval trade — impressed mightily. Despite having never taken a bat in AA, let alone AAA, Harber posted mesmerizing exit velocities in the Cactus League, and hit 10-28 with a home run, three doubles, two walks, and just five strikeouts, good for a .996 OPS and a 154 wRC+. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury a few games ago, and will be out for 4-6 weeks. He’ll presumably begin the year with AA Richmond, but he could move very quickly. A debut this season is unlikely, but not out of the question.
Kennedy — a 27-year old who signed as a Minor League free agent — also had an exceptional spring. The right-handed hitter went 9-26 with two home runs, a triple, a double, four walks, and five strikeouts, which gave him a 1.112 OPS and a 173 wRC+. He’s struggled to hit at the Major League level in four years of scattered appearances, but you never know when it might click for a player. He’ll be important depth with AAA Sacramento, and could come up to fill in if someone gets injured.
With these four cuts, the Giants now have 37 rostered players in camp, and eight non-roster invitees.
DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 14, 2026: Jonatan Clase #8 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs out a ground ball during the seventh inning of a spring training game against the Detroit Tigers at TD Ballpark on March 14, 2026 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Orioles 3 Blue Jays 2
The offense didn’t do much today, just five hits on the day.
Batters, starters:
George Springer: 1 for 2, k, double. .250. Nice to see his average coming up some.
Daulton Varsho: 0 for 3, k. .400. Made a very nice catch in the outfield.
Alejandro Kirk: 0 for 2, walk, k. .188. He was 1 for 3 on challenges.
Addison Barger: 1 for 2, home run. .281. He hit that one a long way.
Kazuma Okamoto: 3 walks. .333. I like seeing guys swing the bat in spring training, but showed he has a good eye at the plate. And he made a nice defensive play.
Nathan Lukes: 1 for 3, k. .300.
Davis Schneider: 0 for 3, 3 k. .094. I want him making contact.
Eloy Jiménez: 0 for 3. .275. He was fine at first base. His bat was terrific at the start of spring, but he’s hit nothing lately. He is streak hitter, but he’s not making a case for himself lately. We have a surplus of LHH outfielders, not as big a surplus of RHH outfielders. If he would just get hitting again, he’d have a shot. The team is likely looking at how hard hit the balls that are outs have been, but he’s a long shot.
Leo Jiménez: 0 for 2. .250. His BA isn’t as important as his glove and he looked fine with the glove.
Subs:
Jesús Sánchez: 0 for 2, walk, k. .211.
RJ Schreck: 0 for 1, walk. .158. Make a nice catch in foul territory in right field.
Tyler Heineman: 0 for 2. .294.
Myles Straw: 1 for 2. .200.
Josh Rivera: walk. .222.
Yohendrick Pinango: 1 for 1. Double. .160.
Riley Tirotta: 0 for 1, k. .226.
Josh Kasevish: 0 for 1, walk. .281.
Pitching:
Josh Fleming started, going 2 innings, the first was terrible. 3 hits, 2 earned, walk. The second inning was quick, 3 up, 3 down. He had 2 k.
Others:
Spencer Miles: 2 innings, 3 hits, 1 earned on a home run, 2 strikeouts.
Louis Varland: 1.1 innings, 3 strikeouts. He looked great.
Braydon Fisher: Got one out.
Brendon Little: 1 inning, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts. He was terrific.
Mason Fluharty: 1 inning, 1 k. A very nice inning.
Tomorrow the Jays host the Yankees. Cody Ponce starts for the Yankees. I’m surprised they aren’t hiding him from the Yankees. Ryan Weathers starts for the Yankees.
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