Category: Baseball

TAMPA — The Yankees are losing their captain for a few weeks in March, but they plan on seeing plenty of him in game action until then.

Before he leaves to captain Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Aaron Judge likely will play in four or five of the first nine Grapefruit League games, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday, adding that he is “full go” with his arm after dealing with a flexor strain last summer.

“I need to up his workload in his first week going into the WBC,” Boone said at Steinbrenner Field. “I want to build [him] up to where when he leaves, he’s played six innings in a game and probably played — right now, I’m planning on playing him in four or five of the first nine games, just so he’s in a good spot when he’s got to go there and play nine innings.

“I want to make sure I up it, as safely as we can.”

Most springs, Boone eases his veterans into Grapefruit League action. But this one will be different with Judge set to leave camp March 1 to go play right field for Team USA.

As for Judge’s elbow, he took a couple of weeks off from throwing in the offseason before beginning to ramp back up, with all indications being that it has gone smoothly to date.

“He’s throwing the ball really well right now,” Boone said.

Elmer Rodríguez, one of the top Yankees pitching prospects, flashed his potential across two innings of live batting practice Sunday afternoon.

“Big fan,” Boone said. “Another guy that I think has a really, really bright future as a starting pitcher. I think he’s got a chance to be a really good starter. He can do a lot of things with the ball on the mound. He’s got a number of different pitches, he’s got real good feel to pitch.

“When I watch him, I look at him and think, ‘That guy’s going to be a starter in this league for a long time.’ That’s my early impressions.”

Cam Schlittler had Sunday off from throwing, but he is scheduled to get back on the mound for a bullpen session Tuesday, which would be his first since the Yankees slowed him down because of mid-back and left lat inflammation.

Aside from Sunday, the right-hander has been playing catch every day while getting treatment on his back.

Ben Rice, who was dealing with a stiff neck in the first few days of camp, resumed hitting Sunday, facing Rodríguez and relievers Tim Hill and Angel Chivilli in live batting practice.

Boone said all position players reported as expected Sunday and at least as of the afternoon, no new injuries had popped up during their physicals. … Max Fried threw two innings of live batting practice Sunday, building up to around 35 pitches.

TAMPA — The Yankees are losing their captain for a few weeks in March, but they plan on seeing plenty of him in game action until then.

Before he leaves to captain Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Aaron Judge likely will play in four or five of the first nine Grapefruit League games, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday, adding that he is “full go” with his arm after dealing with a flexor strain last summer.

“I need to up his workload in his first week going into the WBC,” Boone said at Steinbrenner Field. “I want to build [him] up to where when he leaves, he’s played six innings in a game and probably played — right now, I’m planning on playing him in four or five of the first nine games, just so he’s in a good spot when he’s got to go there and play nine innings.

“I want to make sure I up it, as safely as we can.”

Most springs, Boone eases his veterans into Grapefruit League action. But this one will be different with Judge set to leave camp March 1 to go play right field for Team USA.

As for Judge’s elbow, he took a couple of weeks off from throwing in the offseason before beginning to ramp back up, with all indications being that it has gone smoothly to date.

“He’s throwing the ball really well right now,” Boone said.

Elmer Rodríguez, one of the top Yankees pitching prospects, flashed his potential across two innings of live batting practice Sunday afternoon.

“Big fan,” Boone said. “Another guy that I think has a really, really bright future as a starting pitcher. I think he’s got a chance to be a really good starter. He can do a lot of things with the ball on the mound. He’s got a number of different pitches, he’s got real good feel to pitch.

“When I watch him, I look at him and think, ‘That guy’s going to be a starter in this league for a long time.’ That’s my early impressions.”

Cam Schlittler had Sunday off from throwing, but he is scheduled to get back on the mound for a bullpen session Tuesday, which would be his first since the Yankees slowed him down because of mid-back and left lat inflammation.

Aside from Sunday, the right-hander has been playing catch every day while getting treatment on his back.

Ben Rice, who was dealing with a stiff neck in the first few days of camp, resumed hitting Sunday, facing Rodríguez and relievers Tim Hill and Angel Chivilli in live batting practice.

Boone said all position players reported as expected Sunday and at least as of the afternoon, no new injuries had popped up during their physicals. … Max Fried threw two innings of live batting practice Sunday, building up to around 35 pitches.

Nick Castellanos has no hard feelings toward the Phillies over the way his time in the City of Brotherly Love ended, but he acknowledged that there are lessons to learn from the experience. 

The biggest learning lesson for Castellanos comes from an incident in June, which had been reported by The Athletic, where he brought a beer into the dugout and screamed at manager Rob Thomas and hitting coach Kevin Long.

Castellanos, who was released last week, apologized for the incident in an open letter to Phillies fans and spoke more about his time in Philly at camp with his new Padres team.

“I think when I said I will learn from this is I guess just letting emotions get the best of me in the moment,” Castellanos told reporters at the Padres spring training complex in Arizona. “[Going forward] possibly if I see things that frustrate me or I don’t believe are conducive to winning to speaking up when I see it instead of letting things just pile up over time. And finally, when I address it, it’s less emotional.”

Castellanos found a new home days after the Phillies released him, signing a one-year contract with the Padres over the weekend. 

The newest member of the Padres organization seemed upbeat about the opportunity in San Diego. 

However, he didn’t seem to regret the way certain things happened in Philadelphia, namely how vocal he was about his frustrations in September. 

“In the moment, I felt how I felt, and I spoke from the heart, and I was honest in every word that I said,” he said. “It’s not like I was outwardly ever displaying that. I kept it all inside. But when I was asked a question, I shot straight, and then people perceived it how they wanted.”

The one thing Castellanos said he wished had been different was the ballclub winning a World Series title. 

“I mean, I think winning solves everything,” Castellanos said. “So, I think the one thing that I wish would have ended up different that we would have won.”

The Phillies reached the World Series in 2022, but lost to the Astros.

Castellanos now heads to the West Coast and is expected to find time as a designated hitter, while also playing some outfield and potentially first base.

Nick Castellanos has no hard feelings toward the Phillies over the way his time in the City of Brotherly Love ended, but he acknowledged that there are lessons to learn from the experience. 

The biggest learning lesson for Castellanos comes from an incident in June, which had been reported by The Athletic, where he brought a beer into the dugout and screamed at manager Rob Thomas and hitting coach Kevin Long.

Castellanos, who was released last week, apologized for the incident in an open letter to Phillies fans and spoke more about his time in Philly at camp with his new Padres team.

“I think when I said I will learn from this is I guess just letting emotions get the best of me in the moment,” Castellanos told reporters at the Padres spring training complex in Arizona. “[Going forward] possibly if I see things that frustrate me or I don’t believe are conducive to winning to speaking up when I see it instead of letting things just pile up over time. And finally, when I address it, it’s less emotional.”

Castellanos found a new home days after the Phillies released him, signing a one-year contract with the Padres over the weekend. 

The newest member of the Padres organization seemed upbeat about the opportunity in San Diego. 

However, he didn’t seem to regret the way certain things happened in Philadelphia, namely how vocal he was about his frustrations in September. 

“In the moment, I felt how I felt, and I spoke from the heart, and I was honest in every word that I said,” he said. “It’s not like I was outwardly ever displaying that. I kept it all inside. But when I was asked a question, I shot straight, and then people perceived it how they wanted.”

The one thing Castellanos said he wished had been different was the ballclub winning a World Series title. 

“I mean, I think winning solves everything,” Castellanos said. “So, I think the one thing that I wish would have ended up different that we would have won.”

The Phillies reached the World Series in 2022, but lost to the Astros.

Castellanos now heads to the West Coast and is expected to find time as a designated hitter, while also playing some outfield and potentially first base.

PORT ST. LUCIE — Francisco Lindor is weeks away from beginning full workouts, but that doesn’t mean he will be absent from the Mets scene in spring training.

After undergoing surgery last week for a broken hamate bone in his left hand, the All-Star shortstop affirmed his hope to return in time for Opening Day, but not before he gets to mesh with the team’s new cast.

That meant showing up Sunday to Clover Park, a day ahead of the team’s first full-squad workout.

“We have a lot of new faces that I want to get to know and I wanted to interact with them,” Lindor said. “Just being outside with the guys … it sucks I can’t be out there doing everything they do.”

Lindor is facing a six-week recovery from the surgery, which was performed Wednesday.

He didn’t back away from the notion he’ll play on Opening Day.

“I’m very optimistic,” Lindor said. “My goal is to be there. I trust the Mets staff and feel like they have dealt with it many times and they are really good.”

Lindor said he had dealt with discomfort in the hand “over the years” and following a full workout Feb. 6 felt something was amiss, which led to the surgery decision.

Previously, Lindor was scratched from the World Baseball Classic — he was set to serve as Puerto Rico’s captain — after the event’s insurer denied him coverage. Lindor said that decision stemmed from his offseason surgery to clean up his elbow.

“It definitely caught me by surprise,” Lindor said of the denied insurance coverage. “I felt like I was ready. … They hadn’t seen me [play] all offseason and I had surgery at the end of the [season].”

Even an intervention by Bad Bunny couldn’t help — the Puerto Rican rapper offered to purchase an insurance policy for the shortstop, but the WBC wouldn’t allow it, according to Lindor.

“We appreciate how much [Bad Bunny] cares for Puerto Rico,” Lindor said. “He wanted Puerto Rico to be as strong as it can be, but it didn’t work out.”

Lindor said the offseason overhaul of the Mets — spearheaded by president of baseball operations David Stearns — was understandable given the disappointing manner last season ended, with the team missing the playoffs. The new cast includes Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr., with Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and Edwin Díaz among the departed.

“The year didn’t end the way we all wanted and it’s a business and you have a feeling that every year is not going to look the same,” Lindor said. “Stearns is one of the best and this group, they are great, so it was interesting to see how they went about it.

“All offseason it seemed it was quiet and then all of a sudden it wasn’t quiet and then it went back to being quiet,” Lindor said. “They did a really good job with how they did it. I am looking forward to this year.”

PORT ST. LUCIE — Francisco Lindor is weeks away from beginning full workouts, but that doesn’t mean he will be absent from the Mets scene in spring training.

After undergoing surgery last week for a broken hamate bone in his left hand, the All-Star shortstop affirmed his hope to return in time for Opening Day, but not before he gets to mesh with the team’s new cast.

That meant showing up Sunday to Clover Park, a day ahead of the team’s first full-squad workout.

“We have a lot of new faces that I want to get to know and I wanted to interact with them,” Lindor said. “Just being outside with the guys … it sucks I can’t be out there doing everything they do.”

Lindor is facing a six-week recovery from the surgery, which was performed Wednesday.

He didn’t back away from the notion he’ll play on Opening Day.

“I’m very optimistic,” Lindor said. “My goal is to be there. I trust the Mets staff and feel like they have dealt with it many times and they are really good.”

Lindor said he had dealt with discomfort in the hand “over the years” and following a full workout Feb. 6 felt something was amiss, which led to the surgery decision.

Previously, Lindor was scratched from the World Baseball Classic — he was set to serve as Puerto Rico’s captain — after the event’s insurer denied him coverage. Lindor said that decision stemmed from his offseason surgery to clean up his elbow.

“It definitely caught me by surprise,” Lindor said of the denied insurance coverage. “I felt like I was ready. … They hadn’t seen me [play] all offseason and I had surgery at the end of the [season].”

Even an intervention by Bad Bunny couldn’t help — the Puerto Rican rapper offered to purchase an insurance policy for the shortstop, but the WBC wouldn’t allow it, according to Lindor.

“We appreciate how much [Bad Bunny] cares for Puerto Rico,” Lindor said. “He wanted Puerto Rico to be as strong as it can be, but it didn’t work out.”

Lindor said the offseason overhaul of the Mets — spearheaded by president of baseball operations David Stearns — was understandable given the disappointing manner last season ended, with the team missing the playoffs. The new cast includes Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr., with Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and Edwin Díaz among the departed.

“The year didn’t end the way we all wanted and it’s a business and you have a feeling that every year is not going to look the same,” Lindor said. “Stearns is one of the best and this group, they are great, so it was interesting to see how they went about it.

“All offseason it seemed it was quiet and then all of a sudden it wasn’t quiet and then it went back to being quiet,” Lindor said. “They did a really good job with how they did it. I am looking forward to this year.”

When the Colorado Rockies released their list of spring training invitees, it included 19 non-roster invitees.

President of baseball operations Paul DePodesta has been clear that the Rockies are looking for athleticism and versatility in position players and a developed arsenal in pitchers.

So, Purple Row Night Owls, here’s tonight’s question: Which non-roster invitee (invitees?) is (are?) most likely to break camp with the Rockies?

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

TAMPA — Ryan Weathers is not exactly easing into his first camp as a member of the Yankees.

The newly acquired left-hander came out pumping the heat in his first live batting practice since spring training began, regularly hitting 97 and 98 mph with his fastball Sunday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field.

Those kinds of numbers are not often seen on a radar gun in mid-February as pitchers ramp up, but Weathers indicated that has been the norm for him the past few springs.

“I don’t feel like I’m trying to throw hard, so I think my delivery’s just in a good spot right now,” he said. “I think everything’s connecting really well. Hopefully I keep throwing like that.”

Weathers, who threw two simulated innings and about 35 pitches, averaged 96.9 mph on his fastball during the regular season last year with the Marlins, who traded him to the Yankees in January for four prospects.

Of course, the biggest hurdle for the 26-year-old in being able to fully showcase that stuff has been staying healthy.

He missed time with a lat strain and a flexor muscle strain last season, so the Yankees are cognizant of building him up carefully to have him available for the start of the season, when he will try to help hold the fort down in the absence of Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt.

“I feel like physically, he’s in a really good place as far as the work he put in, in the winter,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I continue to be excited about him. I think he’s in a really good spot for us.”

The Yankees believe that, if Weathers is healthy, they can help take his game to another level.

He has been working on a new two-seam fastball to give him another weapon against left-handed hitters, and he said the few he threw in Sunday’s session felt good — with about 19 to 20 inches of movement.

The other main focus with the pitching department since he arrived has been more of a change in approach.

“I think just trusting my stuff in the middle of the plate,” Weathers said. “I have stuff moving everywhere, so it’s getting in the zone and letting my stuff play in the zone. The more I can get in advantage counts, I’ll be able to get more outs.”

TAMPA — Ryan Weathers is not exactly easing into his first camp as a member of the Yankees.

The newly acquired left-hander came out pumping the heat in his first live batting practice since spring training began, regularly hitting 97 and 98 mph with his fastball Sunday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field.

Those kinds of numbers are not often seen on a radar gun in mid-February as pitchers ramp up, but Weathers indicated that has been the norm for him the past few springs.

“I don’t feel like I’m trying to throw hard, so I think my delivery’s just in a good spot right now,” he said. “I think everything’s connecting really well. Hopefully I keep throwing like that.”

Weathers, who threw two simulated innings and about 35 pitches, averaged 96.9 mph on his fastball during the regular season last year with the Marlins, who traded him to the Yankees in January for four prospects.

Of course, the biggest hurdle for the 26-year-old in being able to fully showcase that stuff has been staying healthy.

He missed time with a lat strain and a flexor muscle strain last season, so the Yankees are cognizant of building him up carefully to have him available for the start of the season, when he will try to help hold the fort down in the absence of Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt.

“I feel like physically, he’s in a really good place as far as the work he put in, in the winter,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I continue to be excited about him. I think he’s in a really good spot for us.”

The Yankees believe that, if Weathers is healthy, they can help take his game to another level.

He has been working on a new two-seam fastball to give him another weapon against left-handed hitters, and he said the few he threw in Sunday’s session felt good — with about 19 to 20 inches of movement.

The other main focus with the pitching department since he arrived has been more of a change in approach.

“I think just trusting my stuff in the middle of the plate,” Weathers said. “I have stuff moving everywhere, so it’s getting in the zone and letting my stuff play in the zone. The more I can get in advantage counts, I’ll be able to get more outs.”

PHOENIX — No translation was required for Hyeseong Kim’s appraisal of Roki Sasaki’s new slider.

“Good,” Kim said in English.

Good enough for the Korean infielder to swing at the pitch and miss in a live batting practice session against Sasaki on Saturday.

Project Roki is underway at Camelback Ranch, the ninth-inning sensation of the Dodgers’ most recent World Series run working to solidify a place in the team’s rotation.

Sasaki is armed with two weapons that made him a dominant pitcher in Japan, as well as the country’s most anticipated baseball export since Shohei Ohtani: a 100-mph fastball and Wiffle-ball-like forkball. 

Last year, more than 83% of pitches he threw were either fastballs or forkballs. Finding success as a major league starter will be borderline impossible with just two effective pitches, which is why the 24-year-old Sasaki is attempting to incorporate into his arsenal a slider or cutter, or maybe both. 

Sasaki said he junked the slower variation of the slider he threw last season, which was not only hittable but also contributed to shoulder problems that sidelined him for four months. He is now experimenting with a faster version of the pitch he threw earlier in his career in Japan, with a spiral spin.

“I thought the slider I threw last year wasn’t very good,” Sasaki said in Japanese. “In reality, the results weren’t very good, either.”

Before he was placed on the injured list last year, Sasaki made eight starts in which he posted a 4.72 ERA.

The swing-and-miss by Kim on Saturday was a positive sign, but Sasaki said he still doesn’t have a clear vision for a pitch that will move away from right-handed hitters, whether it will be a slider or a cutter or something in between. Sasaki said he also plans to mix in a two-seamer.

By adding a slider or cutter and a two-seamer that travels in the opposite direction, Sasaki said, “I think it will bring my fastball and forkball to life.”

Said Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes: “If he’s executing the fastball and split the way he’s capable of, with what he’s done in the past, it’s an amazing foundation. Anything on top of that is just going to make things more challenging for opposing hitters.”

Sasaki downplayed the magnitude of the changes he’s making, saying he started working on the new pitches last year. Whatever he ends up adding to his pitch mix, comfort will be a major priority.

“As much as possible, I don’t want it to affect my current pitching motion,” he said.

Sasaki showed why that was important to him as he pitched to Kim and minor-league catcher Seby Zavala. His fastball touched 98.6 mph.

Reflecting on his first season with the Dodgers last year, Sasaki said, “It wasn’t so much about coming to the major leagues and more about me stumbling.”

He believes that once he starts competing at this level without any physical impairments, he should be able to see the problems he has to remedy in order to excel.

“My goal is to continue pitching so that I can see those challenges,” Sasaki said.

Returning in the final week of the regular season as a reliever and enjoying success as a closer in the playoffs last year was helpful, Sasaki said.

“Rather than finish at the end of the spring (when I was placed on the injured list), it was obviously better to finish in a good way in the postseason,” he said. “It’s now easier to imagine something good. I was able to see something good, so in that sense, I think I’m able to pitch a little more relaxed.”

Sasaki is also drawing inspiration from a visit he made in the winter.

Back in Japan in December, Sasaki held a baseball clinic for 170 elementary school students in the coastal town of Suzu, which was devastated by an earthquake in 2024. He said he reached out to the city in the middle of last season to make arrangements. He ran with the children, watched them play catch and answered their questions. Before they left, he handed each of them an autographed baseball.

Sasaki could relate to the children, as his own life was shaped by a major earthquake. When he was 9, his childhood home in Rikuzentakata was swept into the ocean by a tsunami. He lost his father and a set of grandparents in the disaster.

“That was my first time participating in a baseball clinic,” Sasaki said. “It’s an experience you don’t usually have. I received different kinds of strength from the children.”

He’s now channeling that into a new arsenal, a new season and potentially a new identity as a pitcher.

TAMPA — Jasson Domínguez has heard the talk.

A year ago, he arrived at spring training with the starting left field job his to lose.

On Sunday, he reported to Yankees camp as the fourth outfielder, with a possible trip to Triple-A waiting at the end of the spring if everyone stays healthy.

In a span of 365 days, his role has become much less certain.

“This is baseball, a lot of things can happen,” Domínguez said Sunday. “At the end of the day, depending on the situation, they got to do what’s best for the team. Whatever decision they make, I’ll be ready for it.”

The reality is that it would take just one injury from the projected starting outfield of Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge, or to DH Giancarlo Stanton, for Domínguez to be thrust back into the picture.

The same goes for Spencer Jones, the top Yankees outfield prospect, whose path to the big leagues is currently blocked.

But in the meantime, entering the first full-squad workout Monday, the 23-year-old Domínguez may be fighting an uphill battle to actually break camp with the big league club.

“That’s one thing I can’t control,” he said. “I don’t make the decisions. But I’m trying to do my best to get the best results that I can get. That’s what I’m focused on right now.”

General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged Friday that it would be in Domínguez’s best interest to be playing every day, which is likely only to happen at Triple-A barring an injury.

After playing an everyday role for the Yankees during the first few months of last season, Domínguez began to get squeezed out of playing time down the stretch once they were fully healthy and in the playoff chase.

Since then, the Yankees have only become more financially invested in the two outfielders in Domínguez’s way, Bellinger (who re-signed on a five-year, $162.5 million contract) and Grisham (who accepted the $22.025 million qualifying offer).

“First and foremost, JD’s a really good player that had a good season for a 22-year-old in his first full year,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He gained a lot of valuable experience. We think there’s a lot more in there, too. I think he has a chance to be an outstanding player. We’ll let things shake out. We have a long way to go between now and Opening Day. The biggest thing is he’s here to work, here to get better. When decisions come our way, we’ll make them the best we can.”

The best thing that Domínguez can do this spring is force the Yankees into a difficult decision, which could happen if he shows he has made gains in two clear areas: defensively in left field and offensively from the right side of the plate.

The switch-hitter struggled with the former, recording minus-seven defensive runs saved after a rocky transition from center to left, and the latter, his OPS nearly 200 points lower from the right side compared to the left.

Improving at both was an offseason focus for Domínguez, who played 11 games in the Dominican Winter League and now will have another proving ground this spring to show how much progress he has actually made.

He is coming off a season in which he had 429 big league plate appearances (hitting .257 with a .719 OPS and 23 steals), but will have to fight for every one he gets in 2026.

“The reality is we have two guys [Domínguez and Jones] that we think are very capable of being really good major league players,” said Boone, who added he might get Domínguez some work in center field as well. “In Jasson’s case, he’s already proven that to some degree. So this spring’s important for them to get regular playing time and continue to hone their craft.”

Jones, who will turn 25 in May, put himself on the doorstep of the big leagues with a strong season last year, finishing it at Triple-A.

The center fielder will likely be headed back there to start 2026, barring a surprise, but has the chance to make even more noise this spring while waiting for his shot.

“In my mind, this is the best organization to play for,” Jones said. “If the opportunities come later, I think it’s for good reason in that we’re trying to help the team win the World Series.”

Gallen’s back, just in time for Galentine’s day. Knee jerk reaction?

DBacksEurope: It is probably true that Gallen improves the 2026 rotation. 2025 first half Gallen was probably a worser version of the pitcher that he actually is, but we’ve seen Zac becoming increasingly worse and frustrated over the past few seasons, to an extent where we had to conclude that he wasn’t the ace we thought he once was (going to be). The longer Gallen was unsigned, the more likely it would be that he would end up in Arizona again. The QO was a no-brainer for me, so I think it is a good signing. Boras probably tried to pull a Montgomery here again, but thankfully the Diamondbacks didn’t fall for that one. I think there is still a lack of overall quality on this roster that will prevent us from becoming a serious wild card contender.

James: It’s fine. I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. Frankly, there are no better starting pitchers on the market at this point. Nor were there any better pitchers earlier in free agency that were coming for less money. With the team being up against the financial wall they are, I am actually a little bit surprised they took a gamble on bringing Gallen back. But then, they were desperate for another starter and this also helps the gutted bullpen. In that regard, this is a wise signing. Mike Hazen and his staff are mad if they think Soroka is going to be able to provide 120 IP out of the rotation. He might not even reach 80 IP.

1AZfan1: Knee jerk reaction is this is good for the 2026 Diamondbacks. Given the state of the roster (especially the projected IL) and looking around the rest of the NL, the best chance to make the postseason would come through some exceptional individual performances by players well above their projection. Gallen isn’t likely to be a 3.50 ERA guy next year, but he’s got a better shot at it then anyone else available on the market.

Ben: This pairing always made sense. He’s functionally spent his entire career with the D-Backs and he’s clearly pretty comfortable with the franchise and the environment. That said, this is a floor-raising rather than a ceiling-raising move. Clearly, the rotation and roster are better with Gallen than without him, but it’s up to him and the coaching staff to try and fix the fact that his fastball went from one of the best to well-below average over the course of just a couple of years. 

Wesley: I find it hilarious that he could and probably should have taken the qualifying offer and we’d be in the exact same position as we are right now.. Outside of that, it’s fine. Hopefully, Gallen didn’t spend the whole winter just appearing on podcasts, and actually spent some time sorting out whatever mechanical/mental issue that lead to his disaster of a 2025 season.

Dano: Kneejerk reaction was a booming “Meh,” with full echoes and reverb. Also, like Wesley, I appreciate the inherent hilarity of it. Beyond that, I expect him to pitch over the season much like he pitched in 2025–some good, some bad, truly mediocre performance for a wannabe “staff ace,” but serviceable enough for a third or fourth starter. Hence the “Meh.” In any event, he’ll likely be better than Soroka would have been taking the mound every fifth day, so that should be nice.

Spencer: It’s perfectly fine. There’s upside and floor. The price is adequate in that 2020s Kendrick way. I’ve never understood why fans seem so focused on how he has a negative ego. Personally I’ve never seen that but I also watch from the east coast so I will be first in line to admit I often fall asleep by the third inning (10pm start time when wake up is at 4:15 is just not feasible). I’d rather have a starter with a chip on their shoulder than not if we’re talking mid range with ceiling. 

Is this worse news for Eduardo Rodriguez or Michael Soroka?

DBacksEurope: I don’t think there is a scenario where E-Rod, with $40MM left on his contract, isn’t starting for the Diamondbacks in 2026 as long as his ERA stays below 6.00. So, this is probably worse news for Soroka, who will only be here one year. Although he will probably start in long relief, he will see plenty of action with Pfaadt and E-Rod shitting the bed more often than not, providing a podium for him to perform, just like Nelson did last year. Then injuries will occur and he’ll get his starts.

James: I guess it depends on how one defines bad news. Soroka is the one being bumped from the rotation. Expecting him to have been an effective, 30-game starter was always a bit bonkers to begin with. If the team keeps the entire rotation healthy and does not spend a few weeks running a 6-man rotation until someone gets injured, then Soroka goes to the bullpen, where he can provide some heat in middle, low-leverage relief. When the inevitable E-Rod injury occurs, Soroka might get some starts. Or, if he is effective in relief (where he is better suited), they can leave him in the bullpen and bring up Drake.

1AZfan1: Knee jerk reaction here is Soroka is the odd man out of the Opening Day rotation, but that is only provided that there are no injuries during Spring Training. It’s likely, or at least a coin flip’s chance, that one of the 6 possible starters will suffer some injury in Spring and the decision will be made for Torey on who will start the year in the rotation.

Ben: I tend to agree with the rest of the Roundtable: Soroka likely is the first one out of the rotation and bumped to a swingman/long-relief role where he’s had some success over the course of his career. Of course, it’s near-impossible that these six will be the same starters at the Trade Deadline let alone the end of the season and Soroka will almost certainly get a few chances to start if he stays healthy. 

Wesley: Just to further echo what the others have already said, I’d say Soroka is the odd man out. I am much more comfortable with him as a BP arm or spot starter than I am as part of the starting rotation.

Dano: Soroka definitely, at least if Soroka really wants to reestablish himself as a starter. That said, it seems like he found a good deal of success pitching out of the bullpen, so it might wind up being better for him if he can firmly establish himself as a good long reliever/swingman.

Spencer: Unfortunately I think Soroka will be pushed out of the rotation. Assuming ERod somehow stays healthy. But if the goal is to win games it should be the opposite. He’s 5 years younger and his overall production is closer to ERods than you might think if you only go off vibes rather than results. That’s not to say ERod hasn’t had the better career thus far, but if I’m going for ceiling and floor, I’m riding the potential of Soroka knowing he’s only good for 20 starts at most. That way ERod can try to remain healthier than average by only throwing a few pitches at a time. But I suspect the goal isn’t necessarily to win this season and therefore ERod will get the rotation spot and Soroka will be risked in the bullpen. 

PORT ST. LUCIE — To Juan Soto, there isn’t much of a mystery: The Mets, following a roster overhaul, have improved from last season, when they underachieved and missed the playoffs.

“We had a great team last year,” Soto said Sunday upon reporting to spring training. “This year we have, I feel like, an even better team. It’s a great feeling. Definitely I played with those guys last year, but it’s a new year. We have forgotten about anything that’s gone on last year. Anything that happens, we focus on this year.”

Those subtracted include Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and Edwin Díaz.

The new lineup features Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco in addition to Soto and Francisco Lindor.

Alonso’s departure — he received a five-year deal worth $155 million from the Orioles — might have the biggest impact on Soto, who hit directly ahead of the slugging first baseman in the lineup.

Even with Alonso’s presence, Soto led MLB with 127 walks last season.

Bichette has been mentioned by manager Carlos Mendoza as a strong candidate to bat third, behind Soto.

“We’re going to have Bo — I trust him,” Soto said. “He’s a great hitter. He can hit home runs and he can hit for average, so I think he’s great protection.”

Soto, as he prepares for his second season with the Mets after arriving on a record $765 million contract over 15 years, will be switching from right to left field.

It’s a position he played early in his career with the Nationals and as recently as 2023 with the Padres.

Mendoza broached the subject in recent weeks with Soto as the player prepared for left field in the upcoming World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic.

“Mendoza asked me if I am comfortable [in left] and I told him I’m comfortable everywhere,” Soto said. “Whatever is going to help the team, I’m open to do it.”

Soto indicated that at the time he agreed to the change the Mets were searching for outfield help and “most of the options” were right fielders.

The Mets pursued Kyle Tucker — who ultimately signed with the Dodgers — before acquiring Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox to play center field.

It left the Mets with a vacancy in right field that might be filled by the organization’s top position prospect, Carson Benge.

“I’ve heard he’s a great athlete,” Soto said. “He can play center field and right field, but hitting-wise I haven’t heard too much about him. We’re going to see how we go through spring training, but I have heard nothing but good things about him so I am really excited to see what he brings to the team.”

Soto, as measured by Statcast, was near the bottom of MLB in range, at minus-12 outs above average (1st percentile).

He acknowledged that defensive improvement is a goal following a season in which he finished third in the National League MVP voting with a .263/.396/.525 slash line with a career-best in homers (43) and stolen bases (38).

“I think defense is going to be one of the things that I am going to try to improve a little bit more in my game — try to bring it up to the level of the running game and the hitting,” Soto said. “Trying to bring it up there is definitely not easy, but we’re going to work for it.”

The Post reported in November that Soto and Lindor had what was described as a chilly relationship.

In recent weeks Mendoza indicated maybe the clubhouse was too “corporate” last season.

Soto was asked for his perception of the clubhouse culture last year.

“That’s in the past — we forget about it,” Soto said. “We focus on 2026.”

How can the Mets prevent a recurrence of any clubhouse issues this season?

“Have fun, forget about all the drama and everything,” Soto said. “Focus on the game and win some ballgames.”

Even with the opening of Spring Training camp, the San Francisco Giants continue to add to their roster. A couple of days after signing Rowan Wick to bolster the 2027 bullpen, they add 28-year old outfielder Will Brennan to boost the 2026 outfield situation. The left hander has a career triple slash of .267/.307/.373 in 866 major league plate appearances (all with Cleveland), so, this is as depth move-y as it gets.

He’s done a lot better in the minors, with a career triple slash of .299/.365/.436 across five seasons and 1,477 plate appearances. Still, one of his skills has managed to carry over to the majors: his minor league strikeout rate is 12.6%. In the majors, it’s 12.7%. His MiLB walk rate of 8.6%, on the other hand, has been basically halved in the majors at 4.4%. He has been a strict platoon player in his MLB career, too, with a .720 OPS vs. RHP (739 PA) and .453 vs. LHP (127 PA).

He’s not a tremendous speedster, either, with just 50 stolen bases in 66 minor league attempts and 19 stolen bases in 28 MLB attempts. In 2023 and 2024, his Statcast sprint speed was right around 73rd percentile, but last year it was just 39th.

He’s been below league average as a major league hitter for his entire career and the projection systems have him right around 90 wRC+ on a 377-PA projection. That’s probably a bit too optimistic, but it also includes a defensive value projection that’s just a tick below average. At first blush, I might’ve penciled him in as Grant McCray insurance, but McCray is a far better defender.

In June, he underwent UCL surgery on his throwing arm after injuring it throwing out Gavin Lux at home plate. The Giants expect him to be fully recovered for camp. According to the Associated Press, his deal is a split contract that sets him up to earn $900,000 in the majors and $400,000 in the minors. That’s prorated, so, if he spends half the season in the minors and half in the majors, say, then he’d make $650,000. If he spends the whole year in the majors, then he’d make $120,000 over the major league minimum.

Sometimes, these small moves do wind up paying huge dividends down the line. According to Zack Minasian, the Giants have liked him for some time and Tony Vitello & Jayce Tingler are familiar with his game, too. Could he be the outfield version of Christian Koss? Sure, why not. The more interesting question is whether or not he’s better than Joey Wiemer and/or Justin Dean, two outfielders the Giants had claimed before signing Brennan. Having the flexibility to option him down certainly makes him more “valuable” from a team/spreadsheet perspective and the financial commitment is minimal. The reward might not be all that high, but having a left-handed bat that both has the chance to hit somewhere approaching league average (the jury is still out on McCray) and can handle all three outfield positions is certainly something the Giants needed.

Spring Training games start this week, meaning we are on the clock for an Opening Day countdown. We’ll be wrapping up the 40 in 40 series this week, finishing our prospect rankings, and rolling into Opening Day with our analysis of the other squads in the AL West. In the meantime, we have actual spring training games to watch starting this week. The Mariners will be airing 16 of those games for free on Mariners.TV, the new streaming service the team is offering. The available spring training games will be free to watch, but fans can sign up for regular-season games at the same site ($99.99/year). There is also a monthly option; monthly subscriptions will be available starting on March 23, for $19.99/month. Fans can also stream the games on Mariners.com.

Radio broadcasts will be available live on the Seattle Sports App, which is available to fans living in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alaska. 20 of the 30 Spring Training games will air live on 710 AM Seattle Sports, with 10 airing later that evening on tape delay. Out-of-market fans can also listen via the MLB app. All radio broadcasts begin 10 minutes before game time.

The Mariners kick off their spring training schedule this Friday, February 20th, as they always do: against their Peoria complex-mates the San Diego Padres (the Mariners will be the home team this year). That game will be televised on Mariners TV. Saturday’s game will also be televised.

Here’s the full slate of televised Mariners spring training games:

• Feb. 20 vs. San Diego (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 21 vs. San Francisco (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 24 vs. Chicago White Sox (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 26 vs. Cleveland (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 27 vs. Arizona (5:10 pm PT / 6:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 28 at San Diego (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 1 vs. Texas (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 3 vs. Los Angeles Angels (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 4 at San Francisco (Giants feed) (6:05 pm PT / 7:05 pm MT)
• March 5 vs. San Diego (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 7 vs. Chicago White Sox (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 17 vs. San Diego (1:10 pm PT)
• March 18 vs. Milwaukee (1:10 pm PT)
• March 20 vs. Milwaukee Prospects – Spring Breakout Game (MLB Network feed) (1:10 pm PT)
• March 21 vs. Chicago Cubs (1:10 pm PT)
• March 22 at Chicago White Sox (White Sox feed) (12:05 pm PT)

And the radio games schedule, with delays noted:

• Friday, Feb. 20: Mariners vs. Padres, 12:10 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 21: Mariners vs. Giants, 12:10 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 22: Mariners at Reds, 12:05 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 23: Mariners at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:05 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Tuesday, Feb. 24: Mariners vs. White Sox, 12:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Wednesday, Feb. 25: Mariners at Royals, 12:05 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:05 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Thursday, Feb. 26: Mariners vs. Guardians, 12:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Friday, Feb. 27: Mariners vs. Diamondbacks, 5:10 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 28: Mariners at Padres, 12:10 p.m.

• Sunday, March 1: Mariners vs. Rangers, 12:10 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 3: Mariners vs. Angels, 12:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Wednesday, March 4: Mariners at Giants, 6:05 p.m.
• Thursday, March 5: Mariners vs. Padres, 12:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Friday, March 6: Mariners at Rangers, 12:05 p.m.
• Saturday, March 7: Mariners vs. White Sox, 12:10 p.m.
• Sunday, March 8: Mariners at Brewers, 1:10 p.m.
• Monday, March 9: Mariners at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Tuesday, March 10: Mariners vs. Royals, 1:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Wednesday, March 11: Mariners vs. Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
• Thursday, March 12: Mariners at Cubs, 1:05 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:05 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Friday, March 13: Mariners vs. Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
• Saturday, March 14: Mariners at Angels, 1:10 p.m.
• Sunday, March 15: Mariners vs. Reds, 1:10 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 17: Mariners vs. Padres, 1:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Wednesday, March 18: Mariners vs. Brewers, 1:10 p.m.
• Thursday, March 19: Mariners at Athletics, 6:10 p.m.
• Friday, March 20: Mariners at Guardians, 2:10 p.m.
• Saturday, March 21: Mariners vs. Cubs, 1:10 p.m.
• Sunday, March 22: Mariners at White Sox, 12:05 p.m.
• Monday, March 23: Mariners at Padres, 12:10 p.m.