Category: Baseball

Looking at the schedule and the Astros’ plan to open with a 5-man rotation, there are certainly clues.

Back on January 5th, at the press conference introducing SP Tatsuya Imai, Astros manager Joe Espada said the team would likely employ a 6-man rotation frequently this season and that we would “probably see it from the get-go.”

With 26 games in 28 days to open the season, and their new prized pitcher used to pitching once a week in Japan, it seemed to make the most sense the Astros would utilize the 6-man rotation as much as possible to keep things as close to “normal” for Imai as they could as he adapted to the MLB schedule and level of play.

A little over a week ago, that started to change, and the Astros were unsure whether they would go 5-man or 6-man to start the year. That question was answered today by the manager.

Astros manager Joe Espada said the club will open the season with a five-man rotation.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 21, 2026

That definitive statement was made before the Astros took on the Mets in Port St. Lucie today, in their penultimate Grapefruit League game of the 2026 season. It was a game stated by Mike Burrows, who followed Hunter Brown as the Astros line up their rotation for the season.

Cristian Javier will pitch tomorrow. Imai, who hasn’t pitched since he threw 3 shutout innings March 11, is scheduled to pitch Monday (March 23) in Houston against the Space Cowboys. The regular season begins March 26.

Lance McCullers Jr., who last pitched March 17, would presumably follow as the fifth starter. Spencer Arrighetti, the other prime candidate for the rotation’s fifth spot, has not started a game this spring and he was just away from the team due to the birth of his twins. He will likely either begin the season in the bullpen.

The Astros will play 7 games in a row to open the season. Right now, the way the Astros lineup, that rotation would run Brown, Burrows, Javier, Imai, McCullers, Brown, Burrows, DAY OFF.

Houston would then play six straight games: Javier, Imai, McCullers, Brown, Burrows, Javier, DAY OFF.

They would then play 13 straight games, and this is where the sixth starer would be introduced: Imai, McCullers, Brown, Burrows, Javier, Arrighetti as 6th starter, Imai, McCullers, Brown, Burrows, Javier, Arrighetti, Imai, DAY OFF.

After that stretch of 26 games in 28 days, they have a 3 game series with the Yankees and then another off day. This could lead to McCullers being skipped and giving him some extra rest before he would make his next start.

Against the Yankees, the Astros could go with Brown, Burrows and Javier all on 5 days rest.

Houston will then play 9 straight. With McCullers having been potentially skipped for the Yankees series, that could ultimately lead to Arrighetti not starting again until they need to create a fifth day of rest for Imai again.

The rotation coming out from the off day following the Yankees series could be Imai, McCullers, Brown, Burrows, Javier, Arrighetti, Imai, McCullers, Brown.

The Astros will want to keep Imai on 5 days rest, and in the 4th starter spot, it all seems to lineup that way for him.

Dodgers major leaguers are done with the Arizona portion of spring training, but there’s one more game at Camelback Ranch, with Dodgers prospects taking on White Sox prospects in the spring breakout game.

Spring breakout game info

• Teams: Dodgers prospects vs. White Sox prospects
• Ballpark: Camelback Ranch
• Time: 6:05 p.m. PT
• TV: MLB Network
• Streaming: MLB app, Amazon

Among two games that won’t count, the more interesting contest pits top White Sox prospects at the top Dodgers prospects, held conveniently enough at Camelback Ranch. Ostensibly this roster represents the top players in every organization, and thus it stands to reason that the best at each position are starting in this game. See if you agree:

I mean, see if you agree with the White Sox; as of 100 minutes before game time, the Dodgers had not produced a lineup. Pro tip: It will be a really, really, really, really good one. Bonus pro tip: Some of these guys will be White Sox one day, given the habit the front office has had in trading with L.A. over the past decade or so.

No argument with anyone here, really. Interesting to see that Caleb Bonemer is already being pushed to third base, with Billy Carlson earning the start at short. Grant Magill gets the start at backstop somewhat by default; with the talent on the major league roster, the White Sox are top-heavy at catcher for sure.

Hagen Smith earning the start over, say, Tanner McDougal or Noah Schultz, is instructive — possibly. Coming off of a stellar (short) start on Sunday, Smith may be positioning himself as first man up when the inevitable injury hits the big-league rotation.

This originally was an afternoon game, but due to the scorching heat squatting on Arizona it’s now an 8:05 p.m. Central start. It’s listed as both a CHSN and MLB.TV game, but these days your guess is as good as ours.

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With games that go on their permanent record looming (remember when adults threatened you about stuff going on your permanent record?) and a bunch of the NRIs playing in the Spring Breakout game, the White Sox are sporting a starting lineup that is at least very close to what they’ll feature in Milwaukee on Thursday, when things count.

Well, except for the pitcher. MLB listed Ryan Borucki, but he was cut yesterday. So, opening on the mound will be Rule 5 draftee Jedixson Paez, who appears to have made the team despite a lousy spring line (seven earned runs in 8 2/3 innings, but six came in one one-inning outing).

The Reds counter with 2025 All-Star lefty Andrew Abbott, who is set to be their Opening Day pitcher with Hunter Greene out for months. Abbott is having a horrific spring of 20 earned runs in 13 innings. Unfortunately for his spring stats, Abbott won’t be facing any minor-leaguers tonight:

Paez will also be facing most of the lineup the Reds are apt to use against the Red Sox come Thursday:

First pitch in Goodyear is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Central, when the temp may have drifted below 100° for the first time since early morning. No TV or radio on the White Sox side of things, as the broadcast teams are at the prospects game; try Reds radio, if you can.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced that outfielder Mike Tauchman is set to undergo an MRI for a knee issue that he experienced in the team’s split-squad spring training game against the Astros this afternoon.

Tauchman collided with the right field fence early in the game and was visibly uncomfortable while continuing to play in the game before exiting before the top of the fifth inning got underway.

Signed to a minor league deal in mid-February, Tauchman seemed like a very shrewd acquisition and figured to earn a spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster if healthy. If the results of the MRI don’t show a significant injury, perhaps that’ll still happen, but it certainly wouldn’t be surprising if he were to begin the season on the injured list, even if only for precautionary reasons.

Fellow outfielders Juan Soto and Luis Robert Jr. are locked into the starting gigs in left and center, of course, and Tyrone Taylor always looked like a near lock to make the roster despite his poor 2025 season. And both Tauchman and top prospect Carson Benge appeared likely to make the roster. If Tauchman were to miss any time, Benge would obviously be lined up to the take the vast majority of reps in right field during his absence.

After he went 2×4 with a 3-run HR today, Astros manager Joe Espada said he believes Christian Walker’s bat is coming around:

"He's not playing tomorrow, so a good way to end camp," Espada said. "He's making some adjustments. The timing, it looks like it's coming." https://t.co/BekKqXDm3w

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 21, 2026

Espada raved about SP Mike Burrows, who has been better than advertised this spring:

Joe Espada said Burrows has exceeded their expectations: "He had one heck of a Spring Training. We're really happy with his performance, but also (being) open to some ideas for us to help him. We're really happy with the way he compares and the way he competes."

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 21, 2026

Burrows also said the ball he took off the leg is of no consequence:

Burrows said the ball hit him in the left calf and that's he's fine. Just a bruise. https://t.co/qzUM3Pyw7k

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 21, 2026

Did Espada hint that OF Zach Cole may need some more seasoning in Triple-A?

Espada on Zach Cole: "He's getting on top of fastballs. When they're missing with offspeed pitches, he's driving the ball. He needs to do that. We need to have him find the barrel more. He's always swung at good pitches, but needs to be more consistent making solid contact."

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 21, 2026

Cam Smith has made some adjustments to improve at the plate, both physically and mentally:

Cam Smith is making it a point to “play free” this spring and “looks really good offensively” in bid to retain his roster spot:https://t.co/K2bxL7cp9g

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 21, 2026

The Astros have decided to open the season in a 5 man rotation:

The Astros will open with a five-man rotation, Joe Espada said, then likely go to a six-man during a stretch of 13 games with no off-day starting April 10.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 21, 2026

This may indicate that Tatsuya Imai will open up as the 3rd starter in the order based on the Astros schedule and off days. It will also lead to bullpen decisions that will likely include multiple relievers who can go multiple innings.

SS Jeremy Pena has swung a bat 2 days in a row as he tries to be ready for Opening Day:

Jeremy Peña swung a bat yesterday and will do so again today, Joe Espada said.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 21, 2026

Could Brice Matthews make the team as an outfielder?

Everything the Astros are doing signals that Brice Matthews could make an impact as an outfielder. Some matchups early in the season could give Matthews a runway for regular at-bats — and perhaps bring some stability to left field – https://t.co/Tw28pZmXlX

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 21, 2026

Enjoy these short games while they last, because this one could have gone on for hours. The A’s and Dodgers ended their Saturday afternoon contest in a tie, finishing the game after nine innings of work and tying 5-5 uner the hot sun. Who wanted those extra innings anyway?

More to come…

We are down to the closest representations of real regular season baseball that Spring Training has to offer. In a televised night game, Seattle is running out a largely-accurate lineup for their big league club, with their starters likely to go as long as possible and George Kirby making his final tune-up start before the season begins.

Here’s how we’re lining up today.

Catch us on @WatchMarquee. 🙂‍↔️ pic.twitter.com/8M4T7vCask

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 21, 2026

Seattle gets to face a batch of big leaguers, but decidedly the B-team for the Cubbies. On the hill at least will be Colin Rea, a starter for Chicago’s main rotation who should provide a proper test against the M’s top lineup.

Roster Moves:

The Mariners optioned OF Rhylan Thomas to Triple-A Tacoma formally before today’s game, and functionally did the same with INF Colt Emerson. The latter move is at least a minor surprise, with J.P. Crawford still not entirely shipshape. Seattle had the option to see Emerson showcase his position while Crawford returned to health. Instead, Cole Young will get additional play, with the club’s approach seeming to be that of Young for shortstop, and a possible Ryan Bliss/Leo Rivas/Miles Mastrobuoni combination to take 2B reps until Crawford can return.

First Pitch: 6:10 pm PDT (sorry!)

TV: Mariners.TV or MLB.tv

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, MLB.com

San Diego Padres Prospects at Chicago Cubs Prospects, March 21, 2026, 6:05 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Sloan Park – Mesa, AZ

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Tonight's #SpringBreakout lineup! pic.twitter.com/TCrfSCOijQ

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 21, 2026

Spring breakout!

Download the @WatchMarquee app to watch all the action. pic.twitter.com/kwH8wQP5DO

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 21, 2026

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• Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
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GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

The downward slide continues for former top MLB prospect Jarred Kelenic.

Kelenic, who signed a minor league deal with the White Sox in December, was informed by the team on Friday that he would not be a part of the Opening Day roster, according to multiple reports.

The 26-year-old will remain in big league camp until Spring Training concludes, but will not be a part of the team’s 26-man roster.

This decision from the White Sox comes after the outfielder posted an abysmal Spring Training slash line of .179/.273/.359, which included striking out 12 times in 39 at-bats in 14 games.

Kelenic, who was selected by the Mets with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, was widely considered one of the league’s top talents during his early days in the minor leagues.

After spending less than one full season in the Mets’ organization, Kelenic was a part of the blockbuster trade for the Mets to acquire star closer Edwin Diaz and veteran second baseman Robinson Cano from the Mariners during the 2018 offseason.

Since being called up to the big leagues during the 2021 season, Kelenic has massively underperformed expectations, batting just .211 through 407 games across parts of five seasons.

Kelenic was with the Braves last season, hitting .167 and striking out 23 times in 60 at-bats.

In April 2025, he was shaded by Braves teammate Ronald Acuna Jr. for his lack of hustle during a game.

Kelenic jogged around first base and was thrown out at second after hitting a ball to the wall.

“If it were me, they would take me out of the game,” Acuna wrote in a since-deleted post on X.

As spring training winds down, the third annual MLB Spring Breakout is kicking off, featuring 16 matchups between rosters loaded with baseball’s up-and-coming stars. The Colorado Rockies’ prospects get their turn in a Saturday evening matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Rockies announced their 2026 roster earlier in the week. Among the group are familiar faces like Cole Carrigg (no. 4 PurP) and Zac Veen (no. 9 PuRP). Carrigg makes his third straight Spring Breakout appearance, while Veen rejoins the roster after being included in 2024 but not 2025 when he was busy battling for a spot on the Major League roster. The two headliners drumming up the most excitement, locally and nationally, are Charlie Condon (no. 1 PuRP) and Ethan Holliday (no. 2 PuRP).

Our 2026 Spring Breakout Roster.

Get your tickets ➡️ https://t.co/SCQPPV1clBpic.twitter.com/t88xTFMq5S

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 19, 2026

You can get to know the roster here:

Get to know our Spring Breakout roster! pic.twitter.com/QZilGpkllp

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 21, 2026

As for today’s pitching matchup, one of the last around the league in the current format before the league moves to a tournament in 2027, RHP Brody Brecht will kick things off against RHP Patrick Forbes, before the teams work through their stable of pitchers.

Brecht (No. 3 PuRP) was drafted 38th-overall by the Rockies in the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Iowa. He started 2025 in the ACL but was promoted to Low-A Fresno after just four games. In 16 games with the Grizzlies, he went 1-4 with a 2.60 ERA over 55.1 innings while giving up just two home runs. Some of that was due to a back injury that sidelined him twice — once in May and once in July — but he finished strong.

Brecht will face Dbacks’ right-hander Patrick Forbes. Forbes (MLB Pipeline #9) was drafted 29th overall in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Louisville.

First Pitch: 5:10 p.m. MDT

TV: MLB.com, MLB Network, MLB.TV, Rockies.TV

Radio: None

Lineups:

Look at these prospects 🤩

Our Spring Breakout Game will start 30 minutes following the completion of Arizona vs. Texas. pic.twitter.com/RE1t4H1cnV

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 21, 2026

Time to Breakout.

Catch the action on https://t.co/epBmrbYHsx. pic.twitter.com/aJt9afRYKF

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 21, 2026

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Today’s Seiya Suzuki news: Here

Saturday notes…

• SATURDAY CUBS ROSTER MOVES: The Cubs returned BJ Murray Jr., Jefferson Rojas and Jeff Brigham to minor league camp. The current camp roster has 41 players, comprised of 22 pitchers (four non-roster invitees), four catchers (one non-roster invitee), eight infielders (two non-roster invitees) and seven outfielders (three non-roster invitees).
• TODAY’S TIME SCHEDULE: The Spring Breakout game at Sloan Park begins at 8:05 CT and the Cubs vs. Mariners game at Peoria begins at 8:10 p.m. CT.
• CUBS SPRING BREAKOUT ROSTER:Here are the 27 Cubs players eligible to play tonight. Almost all of them have appeared in some MLB Spring Training games.

Here are today’s particulars.

Cubs lineup at Peoria:

Here’s how we’re lining up today.

Catch us on @WatchMarquee. 🙂‍↔️ pic.twitter.com/8M4T7vCask

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 21, 2026

Mariners lineup:

Back at it in Peoria against the Cubbies. #TridentsUppic.twitter.com/qvQXG3oRFd

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 21, 2026

Cubs Spring Breakout lineup:

Spring breakout!

Download the @WatchMarquee app to watch all the action. pic.twitter.com/kwH8wQP5DO

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 21, 2026

Padres Spring Breakout lineup:

Tonight's #SpringBreakout lineup! pic.twitter.com/TCrfSCOijQ

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 21, 2026

Colin Rea will start for the Cubs at Peoria.

Will Sanders will start the Cubs Spring Breakout game.

George Kirby will start for the Mariners.

Luis Gutierrez will start for the Padres in the Spring Breakout game.

Here’s the broadcast schedule for tonight. Both games will have TV and radio broadcasts.

Cubs vs. Mariners: Mariners TV/Marquee (streaming only), WSCR The Score

Cubs vs. Padres Spring Breakout game: Marquee Sports Network/Padres TV, KWFN 97.3

MLB.com Gameday for Cubs vs. Mariners

MLB.com Gameday for Cubs vs. Padres Spring Breakout game

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

Please visit our SB Nation Mariners site Lookout Landing and Padres site Gaslamp Ball. If you do go there to interact with Mariners or Padres fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

As we have done in the past, we’ll have a first pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time. For today, that will be 8 p.m. CT and 9:35 p.m. CT.

These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked ”Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher photos and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

A disastrous first inning did the Huskies (10-12) in on Friday night against San Jose State, as their evening was over before it really even started. The Spartans’ eight first-inning runs were more than UConn scored the entire game, as the Huskies were mercy ruled by the Spartans in seven innings, 16-6.

Husky starter Charlie West took a beating over two innings of work. He was removed without recording an out in the third inning, in which the Spartans put up another six runs. In total, the left-hander surrendered 12 runs (seven earned) on three home runs and three doubles on 10 hits. The junior’s ERA ballooned from 4.97 to 6.91.

Despite scoring just one run after the third inning, the Spartan offense was relentless in the early going.

After two of their first three batters reached base, Jake McCoy, who had walked it off earlier in the day in the team’s 3-2 extra innings win over San Diego State, slapped one over the left field fence. UConn outfielder Chase Taylor turned his back and waited for a ricochet off the wall that never came, as McCoy put three runs on the board.

Three out of the next four batters again reached, one on an error as the Huskies’ defense did the struggling West no favors. That round of runners culminated in a pair of RBI hits: a Neil Jansen double as part of a 3-for-3 game and an Alex Fernandes single up the middle. After an RBI base hit from Peyton Rowles, the Huskies were facing a seven-run deficit.

The Huskies made it a ball game again at the top of the second. Along with a Jackson Marshall RBI double from an inning earlier, UConn took advantage of RBI singles from Peyton Jemison and Tyler Minick, and a run-scoring groundout from Rob Rispoli to cut the Spartan lead to four.

That wouldn’t last long. The first Spartan batter in the bottom of the frame, JC Osorio-Agard, sent a big fly of his own over the fence in left field. An inning later, a Fernandes home run to center field, just right of the batter’s eye, made it an 11-4 ballgame. Run scoring hits from Brent Cota (two runs), Alan Ramirez, and Jansen left the Spartans up by more than 10 runs.

With their grave officially dug, the Huskies tried to climb out just a bit in the sixth inning. After a Nater Wachter single and a double from Evan Menzel that advanced the runner to third, Chase Taylor swatted a sac fly to left to make it 15-5.

The Huskies nearly avoided the mercy rule in the seventh inning, as Chris Polemeni continued his hot season with a homer to left center to bring the deficit back into the single digits. 

The Spartans were seemingly set on going home early after their long day at the office, however. For the second time of the day, San Jose St. walked it off, this time under slightly different circumstances. Dylan Jackson sent the final pitch of the game deep to left field and over the fence to end it at 16-6.

The Huskies will look to get a little revenge tomorrow as they get another chance at San Jose State (9-12) later. For now, they’ll shift their focus to San Diego State (11-11), who they play today at 3 p.m. EST.

PHOENIX –– The most boring camp in baseball is over.

On Saturday, the Dodgers packed up their Camelback Ranch clubhouse into cardboard boxes, portable storage crates and moving vans bound for Los Angeles, departing Arizona after six largely unremarkable weeks of spring training.

“It’s been a quiet camp,” manager Dave Roberts quipped Friday. “Some people would say that it’s been a boring camp –– which I think has been good for us.”

Indeed, the Dodgers return home in about as strong a shape as they could have possibly hoped ahead of their World Series three-peat bid.

They encountered only one unexpected injury this spring, when Gavin Stone suffered a setback in his surgically repaired shoulder. They got all five of their World Baseball Classic participants back from the tournament unscathed. They have only one roster spot left up for grabs, with Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland waiting to learn who earned the final bench spot to begin the season.

Most importantly, the team largely played well, too, posting a Cactus League-best 19-8-1 record after a 5-5 tie against the Athletics on Saturday.

However, some lingering questions remain ahead of Opening Day on Thursday. Even six long weeks of spring haven’t brought total clarity to the state of the team yet.

Here are the three most pressing, as the regular season nears:

Rotation depth

The top of the Dodgers’ rotation looks dominant. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start on Opening Day after an impressive WBC showing. Tyler Glasnow became a spring standout with his improved mentality and delivery. Even Shohei Ohtani has seemed to handle his rushed pitching build-up following the WBC well. Add in the progress Blake Snell made this spring in his return from offseason shoulder problems –– putting him on track to return within the first couple months of the season –– and the Dodgers might have four potential aces before long.

The team’s rotation depth, however, is a potential red flag. Roki Sasaki’s spring training struggles were well-documented. Emmet Sheehan quietly struggled for much of camp, as well, finishing the spring with a 5.91 ERA after a 4 ⅔-inning, four-run, five-strikeout start Saturday.

For now, they will likely be the Nos. 4 and 5 arms in the rotation, with swingman Justin Wrobleski capable of piggybacking with them or being a spot sixth starter when needed (the Dodgers can get away with a five-man rotation for the first couple weeks of the season thanks to an abundance of off-days). 

After them, there are question marks, with Stone out injured, River Ryan being eased into the season in his return from Tommy John, and Cole Irvin and Landon Knack being the next best organizational alternatives.

Last year, the Dodgers’ inability to get length from their starters incurred season-long costs on the bullpen. And until Sasaki, Sheehan or someone else beyond them can show consistent efficiency, the risk of overburdening the bullpen with repeatedly short starts will be a concern.

No matter how good the team’s top arms look.

Right-handed relief

The Dodgers now boast one of the best right-handed relievers in baseball in new closer Edwin Díaz. How they get to him in the ninth inning, though, is something of a question.

While Alex Vesia, Jack Dreyer and a seemingly improved Tanner Scott provide plenty of left-handed weapons, the Dodgers’ righty middle relievers did not inspire much confidence this spring.

Blake Treinen was the biggest concern, allowing seven hits, seven walks and six runs over his final five Cactus League outings. Youngster Ben Casparius and Edgardo Henriquez also battled command issues.

Outside of Kyle Hurt, who had a strong camp but like Ryan was optioned as he returns from Tommy John, the most consistent right-handed reliever this spring might’ve been Will Klein, who followed up his heroics in last year’s World Series by allowing just one earned run and one walk in nine spring appearances while striking out nine batters.

Still though, Klein has just 22 career MLB appearances and was a journeyman before last year. 

Thus, while the ninth inning might no longer be of concern for the team, building a bridge there –– especially against right-handed-heavy portions of opposing lineups –– could be a challenge barring some rapid individual improvements.

Staying healthy

The Dodgers might have gotten through this spring healthy. But staying that way will nonetheless be a task.

Their rotation still has to manage the heavy mileage they took on in last year’s playoffs. The lineup is full of 30-somethings who are coming off two consecutive grueling Octobers.

That’s why, in this year’s camp, the Dodgers were cautious with playing time, slowing the progressions of virtually everyone except Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages. Once the regular season begins, they will no longer have that luxury. And whether they can keep everyone healthy over another 162-game marathon could be the defining question of their entire season.

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This was announced late Saturday afternoon by manager Craig Counsell:

Craig Counsell announced today that Seiya Suzuki will not be ready for Opening Day, and they have until Wednesday to make an IL decision. pic.twitter.com/tniMKqFCrN

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 21, 2026

Obviously, this isn’t good news, though it seems possible that this IL stint won’t last too long. Earlier the team had said the injury was “minor,” but they obviously aren’t taking any chances.

This means that possibly all three non-roster outfielders, Dylan Carlson, Chas McCormick and Michael Conforto, will make the team. Or, for a short-term bench player, perhaps Kevin Alcántara will break camp with the Cubs.

Counsell has said Matt Shaw will start in right field on Opening Day if Suzuki wasn’t available, which is now the case. Personally, I think this is a mistake. The eye test says Shaw doesn’t take good routes to balls and his arm isn’t what you’d want from a right fielder. Granted, Shaw hasn’t played much out there — which is, I think, good reason to start Carlson in right field, at least he’s played there quite a bit and has decent range and a good arm.

As always. we await developments. Today’s game preview will post in 30 minutes at 6 p.m. CT.

Box Score

Robert Gasser has a real chance at making the Brewers’ rotation to start the season, but his spring hasn’t gone well so far; coming into today, Gasser had allowed seven runs in less than seven innings, giving him an ERA over nine. But he made a strong push for a roster spot today with six excellent innings against the San Diego Padres, and the Brewers rode Gasser and three homers to an easy, near-shutout victory in the waning days of spring training.

The Brewers went nine-up, nine-down to start the game (though they did get a hit in there—a William Contreras shot off the wall on which he was thrown out at second base), but they got something going in the fourth. While Sophia Minnaert spoke with coach Néstor Corredor about the Venezuelan National Team, a pair of Venezuelans got the Brewers on the board when Jackson Chourio singled and William Contreras crushed a homer to right-center. The next batter was Jake Bauers, who exploded a center-cut fastball; unfortunately Statcast data appeared to be malfunctioning so we don’t have measurements Bauers’ homer, but it looked like it was over 450 feet.

Nestor Corredor on the call as Wild Bill & Bauers both SMASH 💥

Watch for 🆓 on https://t.co/oTCTrLubGtpic.twitter.com/xAJvEynjJT

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 21, 2026

Gasser, meanwhile, was cruising. He gave up a couple of hits and hit a batter in the first inning but stranded the bases loaded, and after that early hiccup he settled in nicely. A couple of Padres doubled off of Gasser but neither was able to come around to score, and he had the strikeout stuff working nicely. He finished with six scoreless innings in which he allowed five hits and one walk while striking out seven on 79 pitches.

The Brewers struck again in the bottom of the sixth when Jackson Chourio got into one for his first home run of spring training, a high fly ball over the wall in left. That chased Vásquez and gave the Brewers a 4-0 lead.

Jackson Chourio today:

2 hit day ✔️
1st HR of Spring Training ✔️ pic.twitter.com/LAwDlb1Ihp

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 21, 2026

Milwaukee added two more in the seventh; after Joey Ortiz reached on catcher’s interference and Brandon Lockridge reached on what could’ve been called an error but was ruled a hit, Andrew Fischer cleared the bases with a well-struck double. (Does anyone else feel like Fischer would be a solidly above average hitter in the big leagues if he was there today?)

Welcome to the Andrew Fischer show folks 📽️ pic.twitter.com/HbUtWREQSk

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 21, 2026

DL Hall pitched a scoreless seventh with a strikeout, which lowered his spring ERA to 2.00. He threw only 11 pitches, so it was hard to gauge, but he did hit 95.5 mph on his fastest pitch, an encouraging sign for a pitcher who has not been throwing as hard as he has at times in the past. A couple of batters reached against Aaron Ashby in the eighth on a hit and a walk, but finished the inning with a three-pitch strikeout to strand them both.

Francisco Acuna ruined the shutout by hitting a solo homer to left off of Easton McGee to start the ninth, but a walk, a double play, and a lineout ended the game.

Chourio, Contreras, and Bauers supplied today’s homers; Chourio had two hits and Contreras three, including his first-inning blast off the wall that resulted in an out at second base. Bauers’ homer was his sixth of spring training, and by going 1-for-3 he lowered his batting average by 17 points, from .488 to .471. The team’s other extra-base hit came in the form of Fischer’s double; his spring OPS is up to 1.429.

The Brewers have two games tomorrow; the grown-ups will play the Cubs at 2:05, while the kids will play in another Spring Breakout game against the Athletics at 3:05. Then it’s back to Milwaukee before the final preseason tuneups on Monday and Tuesday evening at American Family Field.