WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Mike Burrows #50 of the Houston Astros looks on during spring training workouts at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 12, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Location: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL
How to Listen: 93.7 The Fan, 100.1 FM, AM 1020 KDKA, Sports Net Pittsburgh app SNP 360
The Pittsburgh Pirates on the road against the Houston Astros looking to grab a win in Spring Training.
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PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - FEBRUARY 19: Nick Martinez #28 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses for a photo during the Tampa Bay Rays photo day at Charlotte Sports Park on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Nick Martinez takes the hill the today as he makes his first appearance of the Spring.
There will be local radio coverage of the game today by the Rays.
First pitch against the Detroit Tigers is at 1:05 at Charlotte Sports Park
Today’s highlight package is from May 31-June 2, 1999 when the Devil Rays took on the Oakland Athletics
Jonah Tong’s 2025 campaign was about as strong an advertisement for Triple-A baseball as one can make.
Tong absolutely eviscerated minor league competition last season. In 22 starts, he pitched to a 1.43 ERA with 179 strikeouts in 113.2 IP. Those eye-popping numbers were enough to earn Tong the Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Year award, beating out a crop which included Blue Jays flamethrower Trey Yesavage, who put together a pair of double-digit strikeout performances in last year’s postseason. Nolan McLean didn’t have those kinds of numbers at the minor league level, nor did Brandon Sproat. Even the last generation of Mets aces (Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler) didn’t dominate the minor leagues to that extent.
But after his promotion to the majors, it became apparent that Tong may have needed just a bit more time to develop. Both McLean and Sproat had at least 80 innings pitched at Triple-A. Tong didn’t even have 12. All but two of his scintillating starts came with Double-A Binghamton, and while he didn’t so much as allow a run in either start with Triple-A Syracuse, sometimes the value of the minor leagues is learning how to pitch without your best stuff, how to have a bad start and bounce back the next week, or simply how to compete in a league against hitters who will make better adjustments each time they face you.
Tong’s cup of coffee in the majors — which would more accurately be described as an emergency espresso shot for a deteriorating Mets pitching staff — yielded a 7.71 ERA. But that hasn’t seemed to zap anyone’s excitement about the 22-year-old fireballer, nor should it. Tong is still ranked as the No. 46 prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, and Amazin’ Avenue recently ranked him the organization’s No. 3 prospect behind McLean and Carson Benge. Plus, he certainly showed flashes of enormous potential in the big leagues — just a lack of consistency. In two of his five starts, he dominated by throwing at least five innings and allowing no more than one run. But in the other three starts, he simply couldn’t stop the bleeding, allowing a total of 15 runs in just 13 innings. Being able to make in-game adjustments and limit damage in those outings is exactly what Triple-A is for, no matter how good a player’s stuff is. And lucky for Tong, his stuff is exceptionally good.
In addition to giving us a sneak preview of Tong on the Citi Field mound, his stint in the majors last season gave us a closer look at just how elite his arsenal can be. According to Statcast, his lively four-seam fastball only drops 10.7 inches. Tong’s curveball, meanwhile, averaged a whopping 62.7 inches of vertical drop. That’s almost as much drop as Jose Altuve’s height. Weighted for velocity and extension, the vertical movement on Tong’s fastball and curveball would have both ranked first among all right-handed starting pitchers in the majors had he thrown enough to qualify. Then there’s Tong’s changeup, a pitch which yielded a .227 opponent batting average and 22.2% Whiff. This spring, he’s been working to further develop a cutter, an evolution of the slider that he’s previously thrown.
The pieces of the puzzle are all there. One day Tong will be able to fit everything together at the major league level, but for now, he’s still honing his repertoire, stamina, and command. Perhaps he’ll dominate out of the gate, and by mid-May the organization will feel he’s ready for another crack at The Show. Perhaps he’ll need to take one step back to take two steps forward, and we won’t see Tong again until late in the summer, if at all this season.
It’s easy to dream of the homegrown duo of McLean and Tong carrying the Mets to victory in 2026. While it’s unfair to put that kind of pressure on anyone, much less two players who have a combined 13 starts in the majors, at least McLean’s 2025 performance and minor league experience make such expectations a smidgen more realistic. Tong’s ceiling is still just as high as his Lincecum-esque armslot, but we shouldn’t expect him to grasp all of that potential in 2026. Patience is a difficult virtue to maintain in baseball, but when it comes to prospects, patience is sometimes a practical necessity.
If Tong displays more consistency in even just a handful of starts at the major league level in 2026, it will be a successful step forward for the young right-hander. For now, he should get the time he deserves to hone his craft in Triple-A before returning to the Big Apple.
Feb 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Landon Knack against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Sunday is the first day of March, a month in which there will be real baseball games that count toward the standings. But the Dodgers open the month facing the Angels in a Cactus League battle at Camelback Ranch.
Landon Knack starts on the mound for the Dodgers, making his second appearance this spring. He pitched a scoreless inning on Monday against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch.
Left-hander Reid Detmers takes the ball for the Angels.
LAKELAND, FL – Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Jackson Jobe offered an encouraging update on his rehab from Tommy John surgery.
Jobe is going through a long-toss rehab program, progressively throwing longer distances – he is up to 105 feet, three times a week. And he said could start throwing bullpens off a mound in about six weeks.
“I think it's like, starting in mid-April, is when I'll be on the mound,” Jobe told reporters on Saturday, Feb. 28.
After he completes the long-toss program, he will start throwing bullpens.
“Then it'll be a few lives and rehab outings,” Jobe said. “I think it'll just depend on how sharp I'm feeling, how quickly I can get my feel back. But as it stands right now, I feel pretty normal, which is kind of weird, but guess I'll take it.”
When a reporter asked if Jobe could be pitching for the Tigers sooner than September, Jobe said: “What we have drawn up is quicker than that, for sure.”
But he offered no date.
“I obviously want to be smart about it,” he said. “I guess I probably shouldn't say when we have in mind, just in case it doesn't happen. But I'm feeling pretty optimistic that I will be throwing some important innings this year.”
The Tigers have been vague about when he might return, which is not surprising considering every rehab is different.
"We expect him to be back in 2026," president of baseball operations Scott Harris said Monday, Dec. 8, at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida. "It's hard to forecast the actual date, but we expect it to be a boost for our roster in the second half."
"Knock on wood – everything's been going as well as it could,” Jobe said Saturday. “I'm just trying to keep it that way and not change a thing. The program that we have has been great."
Jobe – the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft – has a locker in the Tigers clubhouse in TigerTown. He has been encouraged by other pitchers who have been through Tommy John – and had success after the surgery. He also has been getting tips and advice from Justin Verlander, who is teaching him how to work hard, but also how to rest and recover.
Still, Jobe is bothered about missing the start of the season.
“It sucks that I'm not going to be there for the beginning,” Jobe said. “Honestly, it really does suck, but I think we'll be doing something special towards the end of the year that I can hopefully be a part of and really add to.”
Jobe said that he has not suffered any setbacks in his recovery.
“We're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now,” Jobe said.
“Seems like you are almost out of the tunnel,” a reporter said.
My Spring Training predictions for Saturday, February 28 are locked in on Cactus League action.
Find out why the San Francisco Giants top my MLB picks for today at juicy odds.
Spring Training predictions for February 28
Pick
Odds
LAA moneyline
-135
SF moneyline
+140
MIL moneyline
+100
Pick #1: Angels moneyline
Arizona Diamondbacks SP Mitch Bratt was shelled in his first Spring Training start to the tune of three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk in just 1 1/3 innings. Considering he's never pitched above the Double-A level, I'm not optimistic he'll turn things around vs. the Los Angeles Angels.
The Angels are trotting out a lineup similar to the one they'll use on Opening Day, featuring Mike Trout batting second.
Alek Manoah gets the ball for L.A., and he tossed two scoreless innings for the Halos on Sunday.
Pick #2: Giants moneyline
I'll gladly fade the Athletics, who are off to a dreadful 1-5 start with just 17 runs scored in Cactus League play.
I don't have any knocks against A's starter Luis Morales, but San Francisco Giants SP Tyler Mahle is simply the more established arm on the hill in this one.
Mahle authored a sparkling 2.18 ERA last season and makes his 2026 Spring Training debut here behind a Giants team that's 5-2 so far with a +13 run differential.
Pick #3: Brewers moneyline
The Cincinnati Reds have the pitching matchup advantage on name value, but Hunter Greene's Spring Training numbers do not inspire confidence.
Greene owns a 5.83 ERA all-time in exhibition play over 63 1/3 combined innings. He's toeing the rubber against a Milwaukee Brewers club that's won four games in a row.
Rob Zastryzny gets the nod for the Brew Crew today, and while he's unlikely to see more than an inning, it should be a clean one, just like his first effort of 2026.
It's hard to knock Zastryzny's 2.12 ERA through 29 2/3 innings in a Milwaukee uniform.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Yankees infield prospect George Lombard Jr. fields some spring training Q&A from Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: Do you have a timetable in your head as to when you hope or expect to be in the major leagues?
A: I wouldn’t say I have a timetable. I know that me focusing on the things that I can control, focusing on my work, on my play in the field, that stuff will kind of figure itself out. I just take it by day. Wherever I’m put is wherever I’ll go, and I’m gonna play my game and I know that things like that will work out.
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Q: Have you visualized what it’s going to be like for you when you put on the pinstripes and run out onto the field one day at Yankee Stadium?
A: I have. I mean, I’ve definitely thought about it. When you’re in this situation it’s definitely something that crosses your mind, and I think I visualized it more of a point of I want to be prepared when I get there and have already gone through it in my head, and obviously it’s never going to replicate what it will be like in real life. … Yeah, I’ll definitely have those mental reps.
Q: Paint that scene for me.
A: I think for me it was always when you get to put on the pinstripes, you get to be in The Bronx. It’s gonna be a stadium filled with people that are passionate, that are intense, that are gonna want to win. But the biggest part for me is it’s still baseball, it’s the same game I’ve played my whole life. Obviously, it will not feel the same as just another game in the minor leagues, you’re in New York and even your brain knows that, so obviously there will be more excitement, more nerves, all the emotions will be just on max. So it’s just acknowledging that you’re on that stage and that you belong there and that you earned it. And then just going out there and playing my game.
Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. during a spring training at-bat. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Q: Have you had any conversations with Derek Jeter?
A: I spoke to him this past offseason. … We talked about a bunch of things, but I think the biggest thing is just be myself. You know, you get to New York, there’s obviously all the outside noise and a lot of things that can be going on around you, but the main thing is just know who you are, know what you need, keep your circle close and just do your thing.
Q: Describe the big New York stage under the bright lights.
A: It’s something that I’ve dreamed of as a kid, and it’s something that since I can remember, something I wanted to do. I’m definitely very excited to get up there and win games on the biggest stage.
Q: Describe Yankees fans.
A: Passionate, really want to win, will let you know how they feel, but the best in the world.
A: That’s the toughest one! … I’ll go … competitor.
Q: Describe your mentality in the batter’s box.
A: I think the biggest thing for me is just competitive … aggressive. I always take pride in my competitiveness, my ability to compete on the field. You gotta be a dawg in there, be aggressive, and be on attack mode.
Q: Your mentality in the infield.
A: I still have that fire, the competitiveness that nothing can get by me, I gotta get to everything. But you just gotta relax and be an athlete out there in flow state.
Q: Describe what “playing to win” means.
A: First off, doing all the little things right, doing all the little things your team needs you to do in those small little moments, those add up over the game and turn into wins. And then just outcompeting the other team, just wanting it more.
Q: What drives you?
A: I would say my family, doing it for the people that have supported me my whole life, doing it for them — they’ve always pushed me and been there for me when I needed them. And then always wanting to be the best version of myself on a daily basis whether that’s on the field, off the field, and just always chasing excellence.
Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. throwing before a spring training game. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Q: Does fear of failure drive you?
A: I wouldn’t say so much fear of failure as much as just me wanting to be the best version of myself. In baseball, when you fail so much you kind of have to accept the fact that you’re not gonna win every single time, and you have to understand that and be OK with it and then still strive to win as much as you can, to succeed as much as you can.
Q: Was there any point that the fear of failure caused you to wrestle with yourself?
A: A hundred percent. Especially growing up in a game where you fail so much, being around the good players, it can be easy to go internal and get in your head when you want to succumb to that little voice in your head that’s always spitting at you worst-case scenarios and things like that. But I think it just takes practice and takes targeted training to work on that. It’s a part of the game that I think the best players in the world are very good at, they’re elite at it, and that’s part of the reason why they’re at that level is acknowledging that part of the game, acknowledging the failure, accepting that and then still going out there and being able to be at your best.
Q: What has it been like being a 2023 first-round draft pick for the New York Yankees?
A: It’s been awesome. From the moment that my name got announced on the TV screen to the New York Yankees, it was a ton of excitement. Obviously, just the fact that I was getting drafted in the first round, then the fact that it was the New York Yankees makes it even more special, an organization like that, a franchise with the history that New York does. It was super exciting, and then ever since I’ve been here it’s been nothing short of that. Everybody’s been great, from the staff to the players and all the ex-players that come back, everybody’s treated me great. It’s been a ton of fun.
A: CC [Sabathia] has been around a lot, I’ve gotten to know him pretty well, he’s a great guy. … Andy Pettitte’s around all the time, he’s also another great dude. Didi Gregorius has been around a lot, got to know him pretty well.
Q: Do you feel any pressure being a first-round pick and top Yankees prospect?
A: I wouldn’t say that there’s no pressure, no expectations, obviously I feel like that just comes with it. I always look at it as a blessing just to be in that situation where I get to have expectations because I was taken where I was because I put myself in that situation. So yeah, I acknowledge it and know that that’s exactly where I want to be and then go from there, and I know that if I do my thing, if I get better every day, if I do my work, that things will work themselves out.
Q: Where do you see the level of your baseball IQ?
A: I think it’s high. I think something that’s helped me with that is just me always really enjoying the game, it being a passion for me my whole life. I always loved watching the game, watching people, listening to people talk about the game. I got to be around the game a lot with my family being in baseball. I think just the time I’ve spent and the passion that I’ve had for the game my whole life has helped me kind of build that.
Yankees’ George Lombard Jr., looking up at an infield pop-up during a spring training game. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Q: Give me an example of your leadership.
A: I would say I’m not the type of person that’s super outspoken, in-your-face type of leader. I’m more of the lead by example, do-the-little-things-how-they’re-supposed-to-be kind of leader. I feel like when there’s conversations that need to be had, I can do that in private, I can do that with certain people, and the same goes for everybody else in the clubhouse.
Q: An example of your mental toughness.
A: Last year, I kind of got tested a little bit when I got called up to Double-A for the first time and had to face some struggles, especially in my first month up there and things weren’t going my way (laugh), to say the least. I had to work through that and make some adjustments, kind of go through that grind for a month or so and deal with all those little things. While that was going on, still play every day, still being a leader on the team, still going out there and playing good defense … fighting our way through a struggle.
Q: What are you working on in the batter’s box now?
A: Made a couple of little tweaks mechanically with my swing, with my hands that have put me in a good spot now. I feel like the swing itself is in a good spot, so it’s just about going out there, refining the approach and having competitive at bats, making sure I know my game plan every single at bat, and going out there and executing that, so just having as many competitive at bats as I can.
Q: What are you working on at shortstop?
A: To me, taking ground balls, working on my defense never even feels like work, it’s just fun. There’s times where we have to dial in, focus on some specific things that I want to work on, but a lot of times just going out there and being an athlete and making plays and making sure I’m just as consistent with that as possible, and then refining all my skills.
Q: How comfortable are you at second base or at third base?
A: I consider myself a baseball player, not just a shortstop. I feel like I can go out there and wherever my team would need me to play, I’m confident in myself that I can go out there and make plays.
Q: How did soccer help you playing in the infield?
A: A ton, a ton. Overall athleticism, footwork, speed, agility, all the things that come with being on a soccer field, I think they all translate very well to being an athlete and moving fluidly on a baseball field.
Q: Who were your favorite athletes growing up?
A: In soccer my favorite players were Virgil van Dijk, [Lionel] Messi, obviously. And then, in baseball, Corey Seager, Francisco Lindor, Mookie Betts, [Carlos] Correa, all the really good shortstops in the big leagues that are still playing now.
Q: What is your best baseball moment?
A: My team getting in the states the first time my senior year. We had a good group of close friends, and we made a good run at the end. That was a special moment that I’ll remember for a long time. And then since I’ve been here with the Yankees, I would say probably the one that sticks out the most is my first game, first at-bat, got to sneak one out, hit a homer, floating around the bases in my first big league game being able to hit a home run, have some of the big leaguers, some guys I watch on TV be there in the dugout to celebrate. It was a lot of fun.
Yankees infielder George Lombard Jr (96) hits a two-RBI double during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at George M. Steinbrenner Field. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Derek Jeter …
Q: What would you ask him?
A: All of his experiences, coming up, playing in New York, playing on the biggest stage, winning championships … it doesn’t get much more legendary than Derek Jeter in New York.
Q: That’s one dinner guest.
A: Dr. Martin Luther King [Jr.]. The impact that he had, the influence that he had, his courageousness, everything that he stood for, it’s definitely something that I’d want to learn from.
Q: That’s two dinner guests.
A: I’ll go Jay-Z.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Interstellar.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Probably some of my grandmother’s Cuban food.
Q: Tell me about your grandmother, Posey.
A: When COVID hit when my dad had some more time to really dig deep into her story and her life, found a lot of things about her and her mission, what she did. She was coming down from the Northeast, came down to Atlanta, had my dad and his brother and sister, was a big civil rights activist, marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King and just did so many good things, was one of the most courageous, brave people that I’ve ever … obviously unfortunately never got to meet her, but I wish I could have. Hearing some of the things that she stood up for and that she fought for, it’s inspiring.
Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. (96) steals second base past Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (22) in the first inning during spring training at Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Q: Your father is part black and white, and your mother is Hispanic. You’re like a walking United Nations.
A: (Laugh) It’s a blessing. Being so diverse in race ethnicity, it’s allowed me to connect with a ton of different people since I was young. There was definitely a period of time where I was learning myself and understanding myself and understanding my background, where I come from and my family story. Now as I’ve gotten older and understood myself, it’s been great to kind of embrace myself, my diversity and my background, and build relationships with people from all walks of life, from different countries, different backgrounds, different culture identity. It’s really cool.
Q: Your father George, the Tigers bench coach, got his psychology degree at the University of Phoenix.
A: One of the reasons he got his degree as well was just to show me and my brother [Jacob] that that can be done. He got drafted out of high school, so he never got to do that. Same with myself. But he made it a promise to his mom and to his family that he was gonna get that done every day, and he wanted us to know that that’s something that we value a lot, and it’s very important to us as a family is being educated.
Q: You might go back one day and get your degree?
A: I made that promise to my parents that I would get it eventually one day.
Q: What are your personal goals for this season?
A: I think what will put me in the best spot for success is making sure I’m prepared every single day, then going out there and focusing on being a competitor and winning games wherever I’m at, wherever I start at. I want to be in a position, whether that happens or not, but to be in an opportunity to help the New York Yankees win a World Series this year.
Feb 26, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) signs autographs before the game against the Florida Marlins during spring training at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
We have two spring games today, so we get two GameThreads in one. That is our reward for making it to the end of February. Both games have some players I’d like to watch. More of the regulars are in the Phillies game. And we can watch Dylan Cease pitch in that one. Jose Berrios starts the Yankees game.
I’m going to miss the start of the games, I’m playing tennis this morning, but will see most of it all.
The Phillies/Jays game is at Dunedin and on Sportsnet. Lineups:
Today’s Lineups
PHILLIES
BLUE JAYS
Justin Crawford – CF
George Springer – DH
Kyle Schwarber – DH
Andres Gimenez – SS
Bryce Harper – 1B
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
Edmundo Sosa – SS
Daulton Varsho – CF
Garrett Stubbs – C
Alejandro Kirk – C
Otto Kemp – LF
Ernie Clement – 2B
Bryan De La Cruz – RF
Jesus Sanchez – LF
Liover Peguero – 2B
Nathan Lukes – RF
Carson DeMartini – 3B
Ben Cowles – 3B
C. Sanchez – LHP
Dylan Cease – RHP
The Jays/Yankees game is in Tampa and is on the YES Network and will be on MLB.TV.
Fort Myers, FL - February 23: Northeastern outfielder Mike Sirota makes the turn at third base. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
The Dodgers play two games at the same time on Saturday afternoon. Here is their roster for the road game of that split-squad schedule, against the Texas Rangers in Surprise.
Lineup
Alex Call LF Kyle Tucker DH Santiago Espinal 3B Dalton Rushing C Andy Pages CF Alex Freeland SS Nick Senzel 2B Ryan Ward 1B Zach Ehrhard RF
Jackson Ferris gets his second start of the spring, both on the road. He threw 16 pitches in his one inning last Sunday against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria.
Other pitchers
Will Klein made the trip, as did non-roster invitees Cole Irvin, Carlos Duran, Antoine Kelly, and Garrett McDaniels.
From the minor league side are Joseilyn Gonzalez (wearing number 88), Wyatt Crowell (89), Myles Caba (90), and Cam Day (91).
Other position players
Non-roster invitees Chris Newwell, Seby Zavala, and Nelson Quiroz each made the trip.
Others available from the minors are infielders Austin Gauthier (01), Jose Izarra (02), Jake Gelof (05), and Kyle Nevin (09), plus outfielder Damon Keith (08) and catcher Victor Rodrigues (07).
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 13: Edwin Diaz #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (R) participates with Tanner Scott #66 in a fielding drill during spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch on February 13, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers play two games at the same time on Saturday afternoon. Here is their roster for the home game of that split-squad schedule, against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch.
Lineup
Miguel Rojas 2B Freddie Freeman 1B Will Smith C Max Muncy 3B Teoscar Hernández LF James Tibbs RF Keston Hiura DH Noah Miller SS Michael Siani CF
Justin Wrobleski gets the start, vying for a potential spot on the opening day roster. The left-hander threw 12 pitches in one inning on Tuesday.
Other pitchers
Tanner Scott is set to make his 2026 Cactus League debut in this game, Edwin Díaz and Ronan Kopp are also listed to pitch, as are non-roster invitees Patrick Copen, Wyatt Mills and Jerming Rosario.
Active from the minor league side are Nick Nastrini (wearing number 91), Nick Robertson (97), Payton Martin (90), and Cody Morse (93).
Other position players
Non-roster invitees available for this game are outfielders Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, and Kendall George, and catchers Eliézer Alfonzo and Griffin Lockwood-Powell.
Outfielder Charles Davalan (88), last year’s 41st-overall draft pick, is up from minor league camp, as are outfielder Kole Myers (02) plus infielders Logan Wagner (96), Yeiner Fernandez (87), and Elijah Hainline (05), infielder/outfielder Mairoshendrick Martinus (01), and catcher Frank Rodriguez (06).
In his longest outing as a Missouri Tiger — a night that included two pickoffs, five straight scoreless innings, and the kind of tempo on the mound he hasn’t been able to have in nearly two years — left‑hander Javyn Pimental headlined Missouri’s 11–5 win over North Dakota State on Friday at Taylor Stadium.
The offense did its part with a four‑run fourth inning, but for Pimental, the night meant something different. It was his first win on this mound since April 20, 2024, after Tommy John surgery wiped out his entire 2025 season.
“I guess I don’t really say it was like a really big comeback story,” Pimental said. “Got the job done, I’m just pretty pumped about my outing.”
He opened the game with seven pitches, two strikeouts and a clean first inning, and he carried that rhythm through the next four frames. By the time Pimental reached the sixth, he had allowed just two hits and was sitting at only 58 pitches.
The trouble didn’t come until that sixth inning, when three walks loaded the bases and a shallow single finally pushed across North Dakota State’s first run. Even then, only one of the two runs charged to him was earned.
Still, the outing marked another step forward for a guy who hadn’t tried to work into the sixth inning in two years.
“I guess I’m out of shape,” Pimental joked. “But at the end of the day, I’m supposed to do that.”
Missouri didn’t have to wait long to give him support. Freshman Blaize Ward ripped a two‑run double into the right‑center gap in the first inning, scoring Jase Woita and Mateo Serna.
An errant throw in the third brought Woita home again, and the Tigers broke the game open in the fourth. Woita punched a two‑run single up the middle, and Tyler Macon followed with a two‑out triple down the right‑field line to make it 7–0.
Tigers coach Kerrick Jackson said the fourth inning was simply the Tigers’ lineup settling in.
“It was just a combination of going through the order multiple times and really understanding what [their starter] was doing,” Jackson said. “Then being able to lay off some of the pitches where he was getting us out early.”
Freshman right‑hander Eli Skidmore entered in the sixth with the bases loaded and one out. An infield error allowed another run to score, but he got a fielder’s‑choice groundout to escape the inning with a 7–2 lead. North Dakota State added one more in the seventh, but Missouri answered immediately with four runs of its own. A throwing error brought Ward home, and back‑to‑back singles from Isaiah Frost and Woita stretched the lead back to eight.
Missouri reliever Juan Villarreal handled the final two innings, striking out three and allowing only one hit. Both runs against him were unearned.
Ward finished 3‑for‑4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Woita matched him with a 3‑for‑4 night of his own, driving in three and stealing his second base of the season. Cameron Benson added two hits and two runs, and Frost chipped in a pair of RBI.
Jackson said Ward’s consistency is already standing out. “He is the most consistent guy that we have,” Jackson said. “He owns the box. He’s comfortable in the box. And as he grows and gets stronger, he’s going to be a really, really good player in this league.”
The win pushed Missouri to 8–2 and marked its sixth straight victory — the program’s longest streak since early 2023. For Pimental, it was another sign that he’s finally back to being himself.
“I’ve never really been a guy to doubt,” Pimental said. “I knew as soon as I got back on that mound again… I was moving about my business.”
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 12: National League All-Star Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the third inning of the 82nd MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field on July 12, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’ve reached the finals of the “Last Man In” free agent tournament! I took the last free agent signed before the season for the last 16 years and let the readers decide which was the best. And let’s face it, it was always going to come down to these two.
1.Cliff Lee, 2011
Accolades: Two All-Star teams, two top ten Cy Young Award finishes, 15th in MVP voting in 2011.
In his second stint with the Phillies, Lee made 106 starts and only walked 114 batters. The guy really did not like walking people.
2. Bryce Harper, 2019
Accolades: Two All-Star teams, three Silver Slugger awards, one MVP award, two top ten MVP finishes
After hitting into a career-high 18 double plays in 2024, Harper only hit five of them last year. What does this mean? I’m not sure.
RICHMOND, VA - JUNE 25: Griff McGarry #48 of the Reading Fightin Phils pitching during the game between the Reading Fightin Phils and the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Matthew Mitrani/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
When the Nats selected Griff McGarry in the Rule 5 Draft, I was cautiously optimistic. He possesses some of the best stuff in the minor leagues, but has had trouble throwing strikes over the years. Last year, we saw a similar story with Evan Reifert. He had a nasty slider but was nowhere near the zone in Spring Training.
That meant the Nats returned Reifert to the Rays before he ever played a regular season game. There is a chance the same thing could happen with McGarry. However, McGarry had a dominant first outing of Spring Training where he pounded the zone and struck out two batters in a 1-2-3 inning.
In a wide open bullpen, McGarry probably has the best pure stuff. However, he walked almost 14% of hitters in AA last year as a starter. The crazy thing is that was a big improvement from 2024, when he walked an insane 24% of hitters. With not much to lose, the Nats took a shot on McGarry because his pure stuff grades out as some of the best in the minors.
Last night, we saw what happens when McGarry is throwing strikes. He has an upper 90’s fastball, but that served as a table setter for his insane breaking balls. McGarry has a natural feel for spin and he showed that last night.
He threw two separate breaking balls, a slider and a sweeper. Out of his 10 pitches, 8 of them were breaking balls. The sweeper has a ton of spin, averaging over 3,000 RPM’s last night. However, he threw his harder slider half the time and it got excellent results. McGarry was able to land the pitch in the zone and get whiffs.
Nasty first outing from Griff McGarry who struck out two. Breaking ball heavy attack from the Rule 5 pick
It is worth noting that McGarry faced non big leaguers, but if he is around the zone, he can get anyone out. McGarry’s biggest nemesis is his own control rather than the hitters at the plate. Out of all pitchers that threw last night, McGarry had the third highest Stuff+ rating. Stuff+ measures the velocity and movement of a pitch and puts a grade on it, with 100 being average.
Again, McGarry is still a high variance arm. I would not be surprised if he finds his way into a high leverage role, but I also would not be surprised if he was returned to the Phillies pretty quickly. It is all about finding the zone for McGarry.
Last year McGarry found the zone enough to have success. In 21 starts, he posted a 3.44 ERA despite shaky control. McGarry is similar to Clayton Beeter, with both only needing fringy control to have success.
When McGarry goes on heaters, he is totally unhittable. There was a time last season when he struck out 23 batters in two starts. Crucially, he only walked one batter in 11 innings in those two starts. It is so tantalizing to see what McGarry can do when he is throwing strikes.
One thing I have a minor question about is how he will transition to the bullpen. The Phillies moved him to the bullpen in 2024, and he had his worst year as a pro, with his walks getting out of control. When he went back to starting last year, the results got better. Was that due to mechanical tweaks or is McGarry more comfortable starting?
If he is more comfortable starting, that could be problematic. He profiles much better as a reliever due to his strike-throwing issues and breaking ball heavy approach. The Nats are going to have to help him learn to prepare as a reliever because that is the role he will be filling this year.
McGarry seemed comfortable in the bullpen last night, but this will be something worth monitoring. He turns 27 in June, so now is the time for Griff McGarry to be unleashed. As a Rule 5 pick, he is going to have to stick in the big leagues for the entire season if the Nats want to hold on to him. Given the Nats are not going to be a contender, there will be room for growing pains here.
In Boston, Paul Toboni actually had a lot of success finding value in the Rule-5 Draft. Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock were both Rule 5 picks and are now key pieces to the Red Sox bullpen. Hopefully, McGarry can do the same thing in DC. He certainly has the raw stuff to be a big leaguer, which we saw last night. For McGarry, it will be all about finding the zone.
Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle bats at live batting practice during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
By this time of year, we’re often a bit exhausted with prospect lists and rankings. Baseball America, Keith Law, Baseball Prospectus, MLB Pipeline, and our own re-ranking of the Detroit Tigers farm system are already a month or more in the books. But FanGraphs does a particularly detailed job for the most part, and often Eric Longenhagen and his staff have some contrary takes that are worth considering.
On Friday, they dropped a new set of rankings and reports for the top 47 prospects in the Tigers system. Longenhagen labels the system one of the best in baseball and very hitter heavy. That last bit has rarely been remotely the case for this system, even over the past decade of renewed emphasis on young, cost-controlled talent.
There are no real surprises at the top, as you’d expect. Basically the whole industry thinks Kevin McGonigle is the best pure hitter in the minor leagues, and one of the best in years. He and center fielder Max Clark draw 60 FV grades, while shortstop prospect Bryce Rainer gets a 55 FV grade, and the catcher-first base combination of Josue Briceño and Thayron Liranzo both get 50 FV grades. All five were on FanGraphs earlier release of their national top 110 prospects rankings.
We won’t both with much of a rundown of their reports. You can find the whole article available here for free and it is a comprehensive look at the system, with more emphasis on some of the teenaged international free agents than we’re able to produce. On the top five ranked prospects, we’ll just note that it’s good to see at least one national site didn’t completely panic over Thayron Liranzo’s tough 2025 season. The fact that Liranzo shook off the injuries and personal losses that marked his first tour with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and got in outstanding condition over the offseason bodes well for a better 2026.
Where things get interesting is that FanGraphs only has the Tigers with two 45 FV caliber players in teenaged outfielder Cris Rodriguez and 2025 first round teenaged shortstop Jordan Yost. We agree on both, and suspect that like Kevin McGonigle, there’s a bit of underestimation going on in regard to Yost’s power potential. Everyone agrees he’s a very advanced defensive shortstop with good plate discipline and outstanding contact ability for his age. The question is offensive impact, and it will take a few years, perhaps, to see how that plays out.
Still, that’s only two 45 FV players. Most other sites have included some of Hao-Yu Lee, Max Anderson, Andrew Sears, and even teenaged pitcher Kelvis Salcedo and shortstop Franyerber Montilla in that 45 FV tier. We also have lefty Jake Miller up in that group, unlike basically anyone else. If he doesn’t turn into a good bullpen arm or backend starter over the next two years, you can roast Brandon for that one, but we’re pretty convinced he’s got the goods and just needs to get beyond the hip issues that plagued him last season and for which he had surgery in the offseason.
Notable on the rankings is the number of international free agents who haven’t yet come stateside (shoutout to Alysa Liu). We don’t rank and report on too many of those players unless they’re really known quantities with a lot of data available, because we won’t see them play much until they reach the Florida State League. FanGraphs has more resources, obviously.
Beyond Cris Rodriguez, the Tigers top IFA prospect, and right-hander Kelvis Salcedo, who impressed with advanced stuff and good strike throwing in Lakeland last year, FanGraphs has numerous other IFA prospects and reports that are interesting.
We loved the signing of center fielder Randy Santana in their 2026 signing class last month. His huge speed and power toolkit is exciting, and FanGraphs has him 14th in the system, right after 19-year-old shortstop prospect Angel De Los Santos. They both get 40+ FV grades, as do catcher Manuel Bolivar and shortstop Oscar Tineo, both top names from the 2026 class along with Santana. Those are all key names to watch for the longer term future of the Tigers’ system.
The Tigers IFA signing class last month is the most highly and widely regarded we’ve ever seen for the organization. They’re all years away, but hopefully that’s a good sign that Scott Harris and Jeff Greenberg’s adjustments to the Tigers international department will pay dividends in the years ahead.
Starting pitcher Jhonan Coba, still 19 and due to pitch in Single-A this summer, presumably, is another name worth watching from recent IFA classes, as are teenage shortstop Luis Aguilera, and center fielders Josueth Quinonez and Andy Mata. All get just 35+ grades at this point, but they’re just getting started.
As noted, the long-term question in the system is whether they’re going to develop enough pitching. Adding McGonigle, Clark, Briceño, and hopefully Bryce Rainer and Thayron Liranzo in the years ahead should give the Tigers a really strong positional group to work with for a long time. They have a lot of very young talent already that could form the next wave. What they need is some of their litany of talented but banged up arms drafted over the last three years to get beyond the injuries and start developing as hoped.
Right now, we have Miller, Salcedo, Andrew Sears, and right-handers Lucas Elissalt and Jaden Hamm as the best of the bunch. Obviously Hamm’s stock has taken a real hit over the past two seasons as he was scraping the end of top 100 lists not too long ago. Elissalt was the low key breakout pitching prospect of 2025, and needs only to get stronger and refine his command a little more to leap toward the top of the Tigers’ system.
The Tigers appear pretty well stocked with bats for the long haul. Hopefully the pitchers take a turn for the better. Only time will tell on that front.
We are now a bit over a week into Spring Training games and at last, Friday’s game featured just about everyone who will be in the Opening Day lineup March 26 (except Seiya Suzuki, who’s already back in Japan for the start of the World Baseball Classic).
There aren’t many question marks about the Cubs this spring, but here are a few things yet unsettled.
Matt Shaw as an outfielder
Shaw hasn’t actually made very many plays in his few games in the outfield so far this spring. He did make a misplay the other day at Sloan Park. So I can’t really tell you how he’s looked; there just isn’t enough of a sample size.
I will note that Shaw has played only right field so far — no left field, and I suspect he won’t be tried in center. Mostly, I would expect him to play second base and third base to give Nico Hoerner, Alex Bregman and Dansby Swanson a break. The team could also use him as a right-handed hitting DH from time to time.
Porter Hodge, yikes
Hodge was injured much of 2025 after having a strong 2024 and finishing that year as the Cubs closer.
So many were willing to give Hodge a mulligan for last year due to the injuries, and hoped that his natural talent would get him a middle-inning or setup spot behind Daniel Palencia, who’s already been named the closer to start the 2026 season.
Hodge has not pitched well. Again, we are talking about a very small sample size, just three games and two total innings. But he has faced 17 batters and walked seven and allowed four hits, which… is not good. He’s thrown 70 total pitches to those 17 batters, and only 33 of those 70 were strikes.
I suspect Hodge will get another outing or two, but if this keeps up he’ll be starting the season at Triple-A Iowa.
Gavin Hollowell looks good
Hodge was a likely member of the Opening Day roster, but now that’s almost certainly changed.
Hollowell has stepped up and could take that place. Once again, the sample size is only three games, but in three innings Hollowell has allowed one run and struck out eight of the 11 batters he’s faced.
As we all know, relievers are fungible and Jed Hoyer’s front office has done a pretty good job of identifying guys from the scrap heap that have become useful. Hollowell could be one of those guys. He’s 28, so maybe the Cubs could get a couple of decent years out of him.
Dylan Carlson appears to have taken the lead in the fourth-outfielder mix
Carlson went 1-for-2 with a walk in Friday’s win over the Guardians and overall is 5-for-10 this spring with a double and four walks. The usual small sample size caveats are in place here, but it’s notable to me that Carlson was given the DH nod Friday instead of Chas McCormick, who is 4-for-14 so far this spring.
Michael Conforto, who was just signed, should get some playing time soon.
With Tyler Austin now out for “months” (as noted by Craig Counsell) after knee surgery, it appears to me that of the trio of Carlson, McCormick and Conforto, two of them will make the Opening Day roster.
The Carson Kelly/Miguel Amaya tandem continues to hit
Cubs catchers batted .250/.307/.442 with 29 home runs in 2025 in 641 PA. Of those PA, 501 belonged to Kelly and Amaya (with the rest to Reese McGuire).
Kelly and Amaya have combined to go 6-for-17 (.353) this spring with a double and a home run. Spring numbers, yes, small sample size, but I think these two can hit as well as they did last year. Perhaps a bit of a dip from Kelly, who had a career year in 2025, but Amaya looks like he can finally put everything together, as long as he stays healthy.
Those are a few of the things I’ve seen so far this spring. What have you noticed?
LAA moneyline
SF moneyline
MIL moneyline
