Category: Sports News

Major League Baseball is being extra cautious with the new Automated Ball Strike Challenge System going into effect this season.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported last week that MLB broadcasts will not show whether a pitch is a ball or a strike on the on-screen strike zone in an effort to make sure no one can exploit the ABS system through on-air broadcast. 

However, in theory, that would have already been hard to do, and the change is one that likely would have gone unnoticed by viewers at home. 

The broadcast will still show pitches in the strike zone box, but there will not be any definitive indication of what the right call is, which had been shown through a circle within the strike zone box that would be filled in to mark a strike or hollowed out to indicate a ball. 

“The change was made because that box will now be used for the ABS system, and MLB is doing everything it can to ensure no one can exploit it. In fact, the box will be shown in just one place in the ballpark: the broadcast booth,” the Sun-Times wrote in their report.

The change does appear to be superfluous, considering the short window of time that players have to challenge a ball or strike call. 

The batter, pitcher or catcher is the only one who is allowed to challenge and is not allowed any assistance in doing so, and the challenges must be made immediately, essentially making it impossible for anyone to try and cheat the system using the broadcast. 

The challenge is initiated by a player tapping the top of his head, and then an animation of the pitch in question is shown on the stadium videoboard and on the television broadcast. 

The ABS system has been tested in the minors since 2022 and was used during spring training last year. 

MLB voted to adopt ABS last September.

Major League Baseball is being extra cautious with the new Automated Ball Strike Challenge System going into effect this season.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported last week that MLB broadcasts will not show whether a pitch is a ball or a strike on the on-screen strike zone in an effort to make sure no one can exploit the ABS system through on-air broadcast. 

However, in theory, that would have already been hard to do, and the change is one that likely would have gone unnoticed by viewers at home. 

The broadcast will still show pitches in the strike zone box, but there will not be any definitive indication of what the right call is, which had been shown through a circle within the strike zone box that would be filled in to mark a strike or hollowed out to indicate a ball. 

“The change was made because that box will now be used for the ABS system, and MLB is doing everything it can to ensure no one can exploit it. In fact, the box will be shown in just one place in the ballpark: the broadcast booth,” the Sun-Times wrote in their report.

The change does appear to be superfluous, considering the short window of time that players have to challenge a ball or strike call. 

The batter, pitcher or catcher is the only one who is allowed to challenge and is not allowed any assistance in doing so, and the challenges must be made immediately, essentially making it impossible for anyone to try and cheat the system using the broadcast. 

The challenge is initiated by a player tapping the top of his head, and then an animation of the pitch in question is shown on the stadium videoboard and on the television broadcast. 

The ABS system has been tested in the minors since 2022 and was used during spring training last year. 

MLB voted to adopt ABS last September.

It has been less than a week since the start of 2026 Spring Training arrived, and the it feels like the 2025 bad injury luck for the Braves never ended. It feels like every day comes with a new injury update, and while some may be positive, the negative updates seem to always be of significance.

Jurickson Profar spoke with the media for the first time, and it was revealed he had sports hernia surgery back in November. The good news is that is fully healthy now, which is certainly a positive for the lineup. The more significant news of the day was that Hurston Waldrep will be out indefinitely due to “loose bodies” causing soreness in his pitching elbow. The ligament seems to be fine currently, but this is another blow to the Braves rotation depth. The logic of adding another starter has now become a legitimate need, one the Braves likely need to address sooner than later.

Braves News

Profar also discussed his expected role with the Braves as DH heading into 2026 season.

MLB News

Bryce Harper of the Phillies discussed the offseason comments from GM Dave Dombrowski for the first time on

Sunday.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The Yankees are in an interesting spot with outfielder Jasson Domínguez in 2026. Domínguez is still young enough and his development would be best served by playing every day. However, it’s difficult—at least as of right now (we’re still over a month away from Opening Day and it’s best to expected the unexpected with spring training roster health)—to make the argument that he’s in the Yankees’ best lineup since Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, and Cody Bellinger patrol the outfield with Giancarlo Stanton at DH. That very well could mean that “The Martian” starts the year back in the minor leagues. Domínguez himself understands the dilemma, but is trying not to focus on the noise surrounding his status.

ESPN | Jorge Castillo: After suffering an elbow injury last July, Judge spent a lot of the stretch run hampered. While that didn’t really stop his march to the MVP, the Yankees’ captain definitely felt the effects while playing the field. Going into 2026, that shouldn’t be an issue. Judge is “fully cleared” be a full participant in workouts and will feature in several of the early spring training games before he heads to the World Baseball Classic on behalf of Team USA.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: We’ll double down on Hoch this morning. Carlos Lagrange is ranked as one of the top 100 prospects in baseball according to several outlets, featuring a high-octane fastball as well as a trio of tantalizing secondary pitches. He’s undoubtedly one of the most interesting players in the Yankees’ system. So far in spring training, he’s impressed the Yankees, not only on the mound but off it too.

By the way, in case you’re wondering, the man himself clarified how to pronounce Lagrange’s last name, since some people haven’t been getting it right:

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.”