Category: Sports News

Today, the Houston Astros finalized their 26-man Opening Day Roster.

The roster includes 13 pitchers and 13 position players.

To finalize the Opening Day roster, the Astros made several roster moves official this morning:

• RHP Christian Roa and C Christian Vázquez have been added to the 40-man roster.
• OF Zach Dezenzo (right elbow sprain) has been placed on the 10-day IL.
• RHP Ronel Blanco (recovery from right elbow surgery), RHP Enyel De Los Santos (right knee strain), LHP Josh Hader (left biceps tendinitis), RHP Nate Pearson (recovery from right elbow surgery), LHP Bennett Sousa (left oblique strain) and RHP Hayden Wesneski (recovery from right elbow surgery)have been placed on the 15-day IL.
• LHP Brandon Walter (recovery from left elbow surgery) has been placed on the 60-day IL.
• C César Salazar has been designated for assignment.
• OF Zach Cole has been optioned to Triple A Sugar Land.

Following today’s roster moves, the Astros 40-man roster remains full.

Several Astros have made their first career Opening Day rosters as active players, including RHP Mike Burrows, RHP AJ Blubaugh, RHP Tatsuya Imai, OF Joey Loperfido, IF/OF Brice Matthews, RHP Roddery Muñoz, RHP Christian Roa, RHP Kai-Wei Teng and RHP Ryan Weiss.

Among the veterans, 2B Jose Altuve leads the club by making his 14th career Opening Day roster. He’s also in line to make his 14th career Opening Day start, which would rank third in club history, trailing only 2B Craig Biggio (19) and 1B Jeff Bagwell (15).

The Astros begin play tomorrow afternoon with a 3:10 p.m. CT Opening Day matchup against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. RHP Hunter Brown will get the start for the Astros, marking his first career Opening Day start.

With Grapefruit League play in the books and Opening Day just days away, it’s time to choose our 2026 King of Spring Training! Let’s review our candidates and their final spring training numbers.

Cristian Pache – .419/.500/.710 in 31 ABs

Pache’s batting line has fallen a touch since our update last week because he’s gone hitless since then, but he still ended up tied with Bo Bichette for the second-most spring training hits on the team, behind only Opening Day right fielder Carson Benge. He also ended up with the highest OPS of anyone on the team with more than a small handful of at-bats. He impressed on both sides of the ball this spring and while most know him for his defensive prowess, it’s unlikely anyone expected him to hit like this. He is the definition of a prime KoST candidate and the current favorite by my (admittedly arbitrary) KoST point tally, but my assessment is not what determines the KoST. It’s you, the lovely Amazin’ Avenue community, who determines the KoST.

KoST Points: 2
Total KoST Points: 14

Mike Tauchman – .241/.371/.448 in 29 ABs

What a terribly unfortunate ending to Mike Tauchman’s fabulous spring.

Based on his spring performance, he was a near lock to make the team, but he injured his knee in the penultimate Grapefruit League game and will now have to miss significant time. It’s a shame for Tauchman, who still has a strong KoST case despite the injury.

KoST Points: 1
Total KoST Points: 9

Vidal Bruján – .273/.400/.273 in 33 ABs

From a KoST perspective, Tachman’s loss may end up to be Bruján’s gain. Bruján was a late addition to the field, but he is making a last minute case, as he improved his batting line from our last update and may end up snatching that last bench spot due to the injury to Tauchman. His seven walks in Grapefruit League action lead the team.

KoST Points: 2
Total KoST Points: 7

MJ Melendez – .364/.364/1.000 in 11 ABs

MJ Melendez sprinted out of the gate with a fast start in our KoST contest, but then was away from Mets camp due to the World Baseball Classic and ended up with only 11 spring at-bats. Still, his brief KoST candidacy demonstrated his value as AAA depth and there’s a chance he could see some big league at-bats this season.

KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 4

Austin Barnes – .313/.389/.500 in 16 ABs

Barnes did not appear in any of the Mets’ final few Grapefruit League games and was released by the Mets on Sunday, so he is now a free agent, which possibly disqualifies him as KoST. But for the sake of completeness, I will not allow his brief KoST campaign to be forgotten.

KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 4

Tobias Myers – 2.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 14 Ks in 11 2/3 IP

I understand the argument that as a guy who was likely always going to make the team, Myers may not be KoST eligible in the eyes of some. But I believe his candidacy is deserved because heading into spring, he was sort of seen as the “throw in” to the Freddy Peralta trade and demonstrated this spring that he is far more than that. He led the pitching staff in strikeouts this spring, generated a ton of whiffs, and lit up the stuff models. I don’t think it would be all that surprising if Myers was a key contributor to the Mets’ rotation this season.

KoST Points: 2
Total KoST Points: 9

Matt Turner – 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 7 Ks in 6 IP

Unfortunately, Matt Turner’s scoreless streak ended in his final spring outing, which was his only bad one. But he still got a long look and distinguished himself from the pack, which is KoST-worthy in and of itself.

KoST Points: 1
Total KoST Points: 7

Austin Warren – 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 5 Ks in 5 IP

Austin Warren was one of the final cuts this spring; he was optioned to Triple-A following Friday’s game. Warren was one of a few pitchers vying for the final spot in the bullpen, but the fact that he has options remaining unfortunately probably worked against him, despite his strong spring that made him a KoST candidate. He will likely be one of the first pitchers called up should the Mets need bullpen reinforcements and I would be surprised if he doesn’t see big league innings this season.

KoST Points: 2
Total KoST Points: 5

Robert Stock – 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 6 Ks in 3 IP

Like Tauchman, Stock had his KoST candidacy cut short by injury and his injury came much earlier in spring before he really had a chance to build his case, unfortunately. But he’ll have that shiny 0.00 spring training ERA in the books forever.

KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 3

The hot stove often overshadows changes made to coaching staffs, unless a team is searching for a new manager. The Yankees, of course, were not looking for a new skipper this offseason, but they did make a few changes to ensure the coaching staff was not fully the “run it back” version of last year’s group.

In many ways, the “run it back” Yankees applies just as much to the coaching staff as it does to the roster. The core remains, but a few older voices have been replaced with a group that blends youth, development, and a modern application of analytics. That said, this group also includes two internal promotions and one familiar face returning for a second stint in the Bronx.

Before this season kicks off, let’s remind ourselves of the Yankees’ 2026 coaching corps, with big-league staff tenure entering the season noted:

• Manager: Aaron Boone (9th season)
• Bench Coach: Brad Ausmus (3rd season)
• First Base/Infield/Baserunning Coach: Dan Fiorito (1st season)
• Third Base/Outfield Coach: Luis Rojas (5th season)
• Pitching Coach: Matt Blake (7th season)
• Assistant Pitching Coach: Preston Claiborne (2nd season)
• Assistant Pitching Coach: Desi Druschel (1st season, 5th overall; second stint with Yankees)
• Hitting Coach: James Rowson (3rd season)
• Assistant Hitting Coach: Casey Dykes (5th season)
• Assistant Hitting Coach: Jake Hirst (1st season)
• Major League Field Coordinator/Catching: Tanner Swanson (7th season)

The new additions are Desi Druschel for round two in the Bronx, along with Jake Hirst and Dan Fiorito.

On the pitching side, the Yankees made their most notable change, parting ways with longtime bullpen coach Mike Harkey. Harkey had been a steady presence in New York dating all the way back to the old Yankee Stadium, originally serving under Joe Girardi from 2008 through 2013 before taking a job as Diamondbacks pitching coach, ultimately returning in 2016 and remaining through the transition to Aaron Boone. Like the other coaches who weren’t brought back for 2026, Harkey’s contract simply wasn’t renewed.

Harkey represented more of an old-school presence on the staff. His replacement, Desi Druschel, aligns much more closely with the modern, analytics-driven approach that has become central to Matt Blake’s pitching infrastructure.

Druschel’s first stint with the Yankees began in 2019, when New York hired him away from the college ranks to serve as Manager of Pitch Development, a role created specifically for him. In 2022, he was promoted to assistant pitching coach at the major league level, a position he held through the 2024 season before spending last year in a similar role with the Mets.

Now, he returns after a more seismic coach staff shakeup in Queens.

Druschel has built a reputation as one of the more analytically inclined pitching minds in the game. His time away only added to that profile, and he now rejoins a system that has continued to evolve in his absence.

The Yankees have invested heavily in pitching development, and bringing Druschel back signals a desire to keep pushing forward. His role will likely focus on bridging data, pitch design, and in-game adjustments, areas that have become critical to modern pitching success. It is not often that a coach leaves and then returns so quickly, which is exactly what makes this move stand out. The Mets had fired his superior in pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, so they allowed Druschel to talk to other teams and potentially move on if he wanted; he took that path.

There is also one lingering semi-question on the pitching side.

Although Boone said in December that Claiborne—a former Yankees reliever from 2013-14 who later became a minor-league coach and was named to the big-league staff for 2025—would serve as the bullpen coach, the Yanks did not formally designate him in that role, leaving some ambiguity about how those responsibilities will be handled early in the season. Perhaps the Yankees plan to move away from the traditional model and rotate responsibilities within the pitching group—though it would probably be safe to assume that Claiborne will be the one actually standing out in the bullpen on Opening Day in San Francisco.

On the hitting side, Jake Hirst joins the big-league staff as an assistant hitting coach, replacing Pat Roessler. Roessler was not removed due to performance, and while nothing has been formally announced, the organization indicated a desire to keep him in another role.

Hirst’s promotion reflects a continued emphasis on development. He enters his seventh season in the Yankees organization, having served as assistant minor league hitting coordinator in 2024 and minor league hitting coordinator in 2025.

Hirst is on the younger side, as he graduated from Central College in Pella, Iowa, as recently as 2017, when Aaron Judge was already socking bombs and leading the Yankees. He played baseball for Central and then coached in Illinois at Augustana College before being hired by New York; he was widely acclaimed for his strong focus on communication and player development. That profile fits the modern assistant hitting coach role, where translating information into actionable adjustments is often more important than the information itself. This has quietly become one of the most important jobs on a coaching staff.

The Yankees are not overhauling their hitting philosophy, but they are doubling down on a coach who has already played a role in developing their next wave of hitters. Just look at Ben Rice and Austin Wells’ development paths to understand what the Yankees are hoping to unlock with this promotion.

The final change comes on the infield side, where Dan Fiorito steps into a big-league role as first base and infield coach, replacing Travis Chapman.

Chapman’s departure followed a 2025 season in which the Yankees’ infield defense and fundamentals were inconsistent (and there was even a rare public show of frustration from Boone toward one of his own in the dugout). Whether fair or not, those areas often fall under the lens of coaching, and the organization clearly felt a new voice was needed.

Fiorito, however, is not an outside hire. The Fordham Prep product has been with the organization since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2012. After his playing career in the Yankees’ system ended in 2016, he transitioned into coaching and was named League Manager of the Year while leading the Somerset Patriots to an Eastern League championship in 2022. Fiorito later served as a minor league infield and outfield instructor before becoming the organization’s coordinator in 2024 and 2025.

The Yankees continue to lean into internal development, not just with players, but with coaching as well. Fiorito’s promotion reflects a belief in the voices already within the organization. Now, that philosophy moves directly to the major league level.

Around these three changes, the rest of Boone’s staff remains in place. That continuity is intentional, and the hires deliberate.

Druschel returns with experience and a deep understanding of the Yankees’ pitching identity. Hirst adds a fresh but familiar developmental voice on the hitting side. Fiorito brings internal continuity and a direct connection to the organization’s pipeline.

Brian Cashman might push back on the idea that this is a “run it back” approach, but the fan base is starved for championships. A lack of visible change can sometimes be interpreted as a lack of urgency. Here’s to hoping this refreshed coaching staff is the group that helps guide the 2026 Yankees to, and through, the Canyon of Heroes.

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While Opening Day technically starts tonight for the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants, the real regular season gets underway tomorrow, signaling a fresh start and renewed hope for all 30 MLB teams.

My MLB picks have you covered with five of my favorite futures to bet on for 2026. 

Five best MLB future bets

Market	Best Bet
AL MVP	Wyatt Langford	+4000
NL Rookie of the Year	Sal Stewart	+700
World Series Winner	Detroit Tigers	+2200
NL Manager of the Year	Don Kelly	+750
Regular Season HR Leader	Nick Kurtz	+1700

Wyatt Langford - AL MVP

The fourth-overall selection by the Texas Rangers in 2023, Wyatt Langford has already showcased his raw talent in his first two seasons. He’s appeared in 134 games in consecutive years, improving his OPS+ to 127 after posting a 115 mark as a rookie.

Langford’s BB% and Barrel% both ranked in the 87th percentile or better at Baseball Savant last season, and he's now slotted to hit second between Brandon Nimmo and Corey Seager to start 2026.

Texas's left fielder is in a great spot to produce with more traffic on the basepaths, and he won’t be hitting any lower in the lineup following the departures of Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia. 

A breakout campaign awaits Langford, and at +4000, a bid at AL MVP is worth a sprinkle. 

Pick: Wyatt Langford - AL MVP (+4000 at FanDuel)

Sal Stewart - NL Rookie of the Year

Sal Stewart’s cup of tea with the Cincinnati Reds was a promising one in 2025, launching five home runs in just 18 games.

This spring training, Stewart slashed .327/.450/.592 while swiping four bases, and Terry Francona has the 22-year-old first baseman set to hit cleanup in his first full season with Cincy.

Great American Ball Park remains one of the most hitter-friendly venues in baseball, and Stewart could be in line for an incredible full campaign as the Reds’ cleanup man — one who should easily lead all rookies in HRs and RBI.

Pick: Sal Stewart - NL Rookie of the Year (+700 at FanDuel)

Detroit Tigers - World Series Winner

The Detroit Tigers will run away with the AL Central this season. 

Boasting a rotation that now features Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, and Jack Flaherty, the Tigers open 2026 with one of the best pitching staffs in baseball — especially if they’re able to get something out of their reunion with Justin Verlander.

Top prospect Kevin McGonigle raked during Spring Training and will add some punch to an offense that was their kryptonite in the postseason, while adding veteran reliever Kenley Jansen to the bullpen gives them a closer with no shortage of postseason experience.

After standing pat at last year’s trade deadline, I’d still like to see Scott Harris be more aggressive this time around, even if that means parting ways with a youngster like Max Clark.

Flags fly forever.

Pick: Detroit Tigers - World Series winner (+2200 at FanDuel)

Don Kelly - NL Manager of the Year 

Just like most coaching awards, this one will go to the team that defies expectations. 

Pat Murphy has taken home NL honors in consecutive seasons for the Brewers, but this time around, the Jolly Roger might be flying.

Following a 71-91 campaign, the Pittsburgh Pirates were surprisingly aggressive in free agency, adding DH Marcell Ozuna, All-Star outfielder Ryan O’Hearn, and trading for second baseman Brandon Lowe.

Looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2015 and capitalize on having Paul Skenes while they can, the Pirates should be right in the mix in a wide-open NL Central.

Pick: Don Kelly - NL Manager of the Year (+750 at FanDuel)

Nick Kurtz - Regular Season Home Run Leader

Nick Kurtz burst onto the scene with the Athletics by launching 36 home runs in 117 games last year, running away with AL ROY honors and finishing 12th in MVP voting.

Although Kurtz struggled against southpaws, Sutter Health Park is a haven for left-handed power hitters, ranking 108 in Park Factor in 2025. 

Boasting an exit velocity and Barrel% in the 98th percentile last season, he’s hard to overlook at these odds, especially if he's able to stay healthy. 

Pick: Nick Kurtz - Regular Season Home Run Leader (+1700 at FanDuel)

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming out of irrelevance and into the limelight, with BetMGM reporting they are the most bet team to make the 2026 MLB postseason

Key Takeaways

• The team hasn’t had a winning record since 2018.
  
  
• Bettors picked the Pirates to win the NL Central more than they chose any other team to win a division.
  
  
• Nineteen clubs still lead the Pirates in World Series odds.

While every team in every sport begins its season with dreams of reaching the playoffs and competing for a championship, those ambitions have generally felt very far-fetched for the Pirates. 

This year’s team already looks much different from last year’s, which finished 71-91 and last in the division. The arrivals of Marcell Ozuna, Ryan O’Hearn, and Brandon Lowe should add more firepower to the offense, while young pitchers Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler will be tasked with adding quality starts behind reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller. 

The Pirates’ +220 odds (31.3% implied chance) to reach the playoffs at BetMGM are easily their best since 2017, per Sports Odds History. They also highlight the difference five years can make, as the team was a whopping +10,000 to qualify for the postseason entering the 2021 campaign.

Here’s how the Pirates' preseason odds to make the playoffs have looked for the past 10 years.

• 2026: +220 (TBD)
• 2025: +400 (missed)
• 2024: +450 (missed)
• 2023: +1,500 (missed)
• 2022: +1,500 (missed)
• 2021: +10,000 (missed)
• 2019: +550 (missed)
• 2018: +800 (missed)
• 2017: +185 (missed)

Bettors backing Buccos

While the Pirates' recent history has been forgettable at best, bettors at BetMGM are buying the newfound hype.

BetMGM shared with Covers that the Pirates have received more tickets than any other team in the “Make the playoffs” market. Fittingly, they were supported by more wager money than all other clubs.

Bettors’ optimism didn’t end with the playoffs. The Pirates (+600 to win the NL Central) are also the most popular pick and the biggest liability to win the division out of all teams despite only being fourth in odds to win the Central. The Chicago Cubs (+110), Milwaukee Brewers (+240), and Cincinnati Reds (+500) are all ahead of them, while the St. Louis Cardinals (+3,000) bring up the rear.

Other books are noticing a similar trend.

“There’s a lot of love for the Pittsburgh Pirates,” Caesars Sportsbook’s baseball lead Eric Biggio told Covers this week. “Their win total went from 70.5 to 78.5, as they actually spent some money this offseason.”

Completing such a huge turnaround will require not just improved team play but also huge individual performances.

Skenes, the best player on the roster, is a +220 favorite in Cy Young odds in what would be his second straight Cy Young season. His two-year career marks stand at a record of 21-13, a 1.96 ERA, and a 0.95 WHIP.

The 23-year-old is also +4,000 to win NL MVP, putting him below 12 of his peers. He was sixth in MVP voting a year ago, although the winner, Shohei Ohtani, claimed all 30 first-place votes.

World Series outlook

Even with the piling support for Pittsburgh, the Pirates still have a long way to go to climb the list of World Series odds.

The Dodgers are huge +220 favorites to win what would be their third straight title. The Pirates sit all the way back at +6,600, putting them behind 19 teams.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Giants fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

It’s here, friends! The start of another glorious season of San Francisco Giants baseball.

After four straight years of extreme mediocrity — since winning 107 games in 2021, the Giants have won 81, 79, 80, and 81 games in the following years — the Giants will hope to break from the middle of the pack, and return to their winning ways this year.

But will they be successful in that goal? We’ll have to wait many months before we know the answer to that question … in the meantime, you get to decide.

The Orioles made their Opening Day roster official on Wednesday afternoon. They will head into the 2026 season looking like this:

Starting pitchers

• LHP Trevor Rogers
• RHP Kyle Bradish
• RHP Shane Baz
• RHP Chris Bassitt
• RHP Zach Eflin

This group was settled several days ago when the Orioles optioned Dean Kremer to the minor league camp.

Relief pitchers

• RHP Yennier Cano
• LHP Dietrich Enns
• RHP Rico Garcia
• RHP Ryan Helsley
• RHP Yaramil Hiraldo
• RHP Anthony Nunez
• RHP Tyler Wells
• LHP Grant Wolfram

Keegan Akin is starting the season on the injured list due to an adductor strain. For the time being, it seems that Anthony Nunez is the beneficiary of that. Or maybe Yaramil Hiraldo is, and Nunez is the beneficiary of the team not choosing the out-of-options Jackson Kowar to make the team.

Catchers

• Samuel Basallo
• Adley Rutschman

This was the easiest one to predict of all of them.

Infielders

• Blaze Alexander
• Pete Alonso
• Gunnar Henderson
• Jeremiah Jackson
• Coby Mayo
• Ryan Mountcastle

Up until a couple of days ago, it seemed like Luis Vázquez might get the last bench spot here, but his broken thumb takes him out of the mix. Jackson gets the nod instead, with hot spring bat Bryan Ramos missing out.

Outfielders

• Dylan Beavers
• Colton Cowser
• Tyler O’Neill
• Leody Taveras
• Taylor Ward

I don’t think that the Orioles were going to go with Heston Kjerstad instead of Taveras anyway, but Kjerstad’s hamstring injury settles that. He, too, is starting the season on the injured list.

**

The official roster moves that set things up this way:

• Jackson Holliday (hamate bone), Heston Kjerstad (hamstring strain), Jordan Westburg (right elbow sprain) placed on 10-day injured list
• Keegan Akin (groin), Andrew Kittredge (shoulder inflammation) placed on 15-day injured list
• Félix Bautista (shoulder surgery), Colin Selby (shoulder inflammation) placed on 60-day injured list
• Jackson Kowar and Bryan Ramos designated for assignment
• José Barrero, Sam Huff, Albert Suárez, Luis Vázquez, and Weston Wilson reassigned to Triple-A Norfolk

Apparently, despite some noise that Suárez might exercise his opt-out clause because of other teams having interest in him, that interest did not materialize and he decided his best bet was to wait around in Norfolk.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers may have taken the fun out of betting on the World Series odds, but there are still MLB win total odds to consider for all 30 teams ahead of Opening Day, even the ones that have no shot at making the playoffs.

My MLB picks and win total predictions for the 2026 season believe the Chicago White Sox will do a little surprising in the AL. I also see the San Diego Padres refusing to go quietly in the NL West.

American League win total picks

Seattle Mariners Over 90.5 wins (-115 at FanDuel)

The Seattle Mariners won 90 games and clinched the AL West last season, falling just short of the first World Series appearance in team history. The Mariners could be even better this year, so I'm pouncing on their Over.

The Mariners have arguably the best rotation in baseball, with Logan Gilbert getting the Opening Day nod. There's a case to be made that Bryan Woo and Luis Castillo could both serve as Game 1 guys on over half the teams in the majors.

They'll each make about half their starts in T-Mobile Park, one of the most pitcher-friendly venues in MLB. They're also backed by a rock-solid bullpen that features closer Andres Munoz.

This lineup is nothing to sneeze at either, with Cal Raleigh looking to build on a breakout year, and Julio Rodriguez featuring as one of the best hitters in the game. The addition of Brendan Donovan is a nice feather in the cap for this bet.

Chicago White Sox Over 67.5 wins (-108 at FanDuel)

The Chicago White Sox improved from 41 wins to 60 a year ago, and I think they're due for another spike in a weak AL Central in 2026. 

I respect the Tigers, the probable division winner, but I'm not bullish on the Royals rotation, nor am I impressed with the Guardians lineup. The Twins were in full-on tank mode last season, and it could happen again if they start slowly. 

This all points to more divisional wins for the White Sox.

Shane Smith and Sean Burke each figure to take a step forward after showing promise while getting meaningful experience in 2025. This bullpen also got better with the additions of Sean Newcomb and Seranthony Dominguez.

If Jordan Hicks can figure things out as he returns to a relief role, that will be all the better for the South Siders.

Finally, while I'm not bullish on the strikeout-prone Munetaka Murakami, I'm interested to see how Colson Montgomery will fare in his sophomore season, and how Luisangel Acuna will do as a full-time player after getting only limited exposure in the big leagues with the Mets.

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National League win total picks

San Diego Padres Over 83.5 wins (-118 at FanDuel)

I'm at a loss to explain why the San Diego Padres are expected to win six fewer games in 2026.

Yes, Joe Musgrove will start the season on the IL, and Yu Darvish is out for the year, but the Padres have more than enough pitching depth to ride out the storm. Nick Pivetta and Michael King both had monster seasons for San Diego in 2025 and can replicate them.

This lineup is still as potent as ever with Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill starring, and Sung-Mun Song joining them in a utility role once he's up to speed following a training camp injury.

And lest we forget, the Padres bullpen, led by Mason Miller, was tops in the big leagues in 2025.

Milwaukee Brewers Over 85.5 wins (-118 at FanDuel)

Oddsmakers are calling for the Milwaukee Brewers to fall off a cliff in 2026, and I'm more than happy to buy the dip.

The Brewers won 97 games last year, and their offseason was not nearly as bad as this line makes it out to be. Staff ace Freddy Peralta is gone, but we've seen this movie before with Corbin Burnes getting dealt ahead of the 2024 season, and Milwaukee still managed to win 93 games.

The rotation is still a decent one with rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski and proven veteran Brandon Woodruff anchoring it. Milwaukee's bullpen was sixth by ERA a year ago, and Trevor Megill is still there to shut the door in the ninth in 2026.

This lineup is young and highly underrated, with stars like Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang in the fold, along with veteran sluggers Christian Yelich and William Contreras.

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The Mets are among more than 15 teams interested in signing free agent reliever Drew Smith, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Smith, 32, was released by the Nationals last week. 

In November, the Mets declined their $2 million option on the right-hander for the 2026 season.

Smith had inked a one-year deal with the aforementioned team option in February of 2025 after having his second Tommy John surgery the summer prior.

In 17.2 innings over 19 games for the Mets in 2024, Smith had a 3.06 ERA and 1.52 WHIP while striking out 23 batters -- a rate of 11.7 per nine. His 2024 season ended after an appearance on June 23, and he underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace procedure on July 13.

Smith debuted with the Mets in 2018 and has posted a 3.48 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 196.1 innings over 191 big league appearances.

The Mets' bullpen to open the season will be eight deep and include:

Devin Williams
Luke Weaver
Brooks Raley
Luis Garcia
Tobias Myers
Huascar Brazoban
Richard Lovelady
Sean Manaea

Former Pittsburgh Pirate and National League MVP, Andrew McCutchen, will be on the opening day roster for the Texas Rangers. This will be McCutchen’s 18th MLB season.

After going most of the offseason with little to no communication from Pittsburgh’s front office McCutchen signed a minor league deal with the Rangers on March 6. The 39-year-old was with the team for spring training in Arizona for just three weeks but impressed Chris Young, the Rangers’ president of baseball operations, with his play and leadership qualities.

“There were a number of factors that went into it, but ultimately we felt like Cutch earned it just with his performance,” Young said. “The way he’s hit the ball, the way his approach is — [we] felt very good that he’s going to help us win a lot of games.”

While in camp ‘Cutch only had 21 at bats, but made the absolute most of his opportunities. He’d finish spring training with a slash line of .429/.556/.714 with an OPS of 1.270. The former-MVP tallied nine hits, scored five runs, hit 7 RBIs and hit one homer while reaffirming that he’s still got some game left in him.

“I was wrote off in a lot of places, honestly told to retire. But I knew deep down there was something in me that told me that there was still more in the tank and that I could continue to keep playing,” McCutchen said. “For them giving me the opportunity … I’m going to make sure that it’s worth it from both of our ends.”

McCutchen who was drafted by the Pirates in 2005 and then made his MLB debut with the club in 2009 spent his first nine seasons with Pittsburgh. In that time frame he was Baseball America’s Rookie of the Year, the NL-MVP in 2013, a Gold Glove Defender in 2012, a four-time Silver Slugger, a five-time All-Star and was the recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award in 2015. The Fort Meade native helped lead the franchise to a playoff berth in 2013 and beat the rival Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card round. Prior to this the Pirates endured a period of 20 consecutive losing seasons, a North American sports record.

The Pirates traded McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants in 2018. ‘Cutch would go on to play for the Giants, Yankees, Phillies and Brewers before returning to the Pirates in 2023 where he would spend three more seasons with the club before not being resigned this offseason. Last season he had 13 home runs and 57 RBIs with the Pirates.

Now with the Texas Rangers the veteran outfielder and designated hitter is in a locker room with several budding superstars and his leadership will bring just as much to the clubhouse and his bat. Texas manager Skip Schumaker outlined what he envisions for his new leader as a member of the Rangers.

“The more guys around that we can have like Andrew McCutchen, the better,” Schumaker said. “I think he’s going to really help a lot of these young guys play with a different mentality and edge. He came in and performed well right away. He fit right in in the clubhouse, can still play the outfield at times.”

Schumaker went on to say that while McCutchen won’t be a full time outfielder, he is a valuable piece to have in the clubhouse and on the bench.

“I don’t think you’ll see him all the time out there, but if we need him, he’ll play out there,” Schumaker said. “But just a really valuable piece to either come off the bench in a high-leverage spot or also potentially start against left-handed pitching.”

McCutchen echoed the importance of his new role.

“I told them I am at their disposal — no matter what it is, no matter what they need from me, I’m here, and that’s what I’m here for,” McCutchen said.

More than anything this is an opportunity for McCutchen to continue to play and if this is his last season to go out on his own terms, and he seems poised to take control of the situation both as a mentor and as a plug and play type of player in high leverage spots.

“This is the beginning for me to continue to keep doing what I’ve been doing since I got here. And understanding that just because I’m here doesn’t mean that I’m here to stay,” McCutchen said. “I have to remind myself of that every single day that I’m out here and that I am on the field. Even the days that I’m not starting, always knowing that there’s a way to improve, and for my peers and teammates, there’s something that I can do to be able to help them.”

The Texas Rangers open up their season in Philadelphia for a three game series with the Phillies. The Rangers will face the Pittsburgh Pirates in Arlington from April 21-23. Barring any kind of reunion with the Pirates this season or a move to a team that will play in Pittsburgh this season, McCutchen will not play at PNC Park in 2026.