2026 South Side Sox Prospect Vote: Round 37 (final round)
This Vote represents the last in our series this year, as we are into Spring Training and also now bumping right up against the Top 100 countdown. Our voters play an important role in almost half of that list, but it doesn’t make much sense to be voting on players who are already showing up in the Top 100 profiles.
And in fact, this year’s Vote went longer than any other we’ve run under “normal” circumstances. (In 2020, we ran the Vote to 50 rounds given there was no baseball being played/minors season cancelled outright, and in 2018 we ran the Vote well into the regular season as a first-time effort.)
It was a fitting, even poetic, end to the polling, as Reudis Diaz finally advanced, on his 33rd ballot. That is doubtlessly an all-time record span on the ballot for our Prospect Vote.
Diaz in fact won this round with authority, outpacing fellow long-balloter Aldrin Batista by 18 votes. Making an enormous jump of five spots on the ballot and 23 total votes, Diaz routed the rest, with 28 of 71 (39%) votes:
This was Diaz’s first time in our voting. Perhaps next year he won’t have to linger so long on the ballot.
Past No. 37s in the SSS Top Prospect Vote
2025 Voting lasted 31 rounds
2024 Voting lasted 34 rounds
2023 Voting lasted 24 rounds
2022 Voting lasted 17 rounds
2021 Voting lasted 35 rounds
2020 Lenyn Sosa (26%)
2019 Voting lasted 36 rounds
2018 Laz Rivera (27%)
Diaz also become the fourth right-handed reliever to advance, as well as the third RHRP in the last six results:
Here’s the overall breakdown of our readership winners: one catcher, three second basemen, two third basemen, four shortstops, one left fielder, three center fielders, four right fielders, seven right-handed starting pitchers, nine left-handed starting pitcher, four right-handed relievers and one left-handed relievers. There were no first basemen voted forward this year.
Overall, that’s 21 of 37 winning prospects being pitchers, and 16 of 37 winners being starting pitchers.
South Side Sox Top-Voted White Sox Prospects for 2026
- Braden Mongomery — 59% (Smith 17%, Bonemer 9%, Schultz 7%, Antonacci 3%, Adams/Carlson/McDougal 2%, Fauske/Oppor 0%)
- Hagen Smith — 40% (Bonemer 28%, Schultz 18%, McDougal 5%, Antonacci 4%, Carlson 3%, Bergolla/Oppor 1%, Adams/Fauske 0%)
- Caleb Bonemer — 47% (Schultz 34%, Antonacci 10%, Carlson/McDougal 4%, Bergolla 2%, Adams/Fauske/Oppor/Perez 0%)
- Noah Schultz — 49% (Antonacci 25%, Carlson 11%, McDougal 7%, Adams/Bergolla/Oppor 2%, Perez 1%, Fauske/Lodise 0%)
- Sam Antonacci — 41% (Carlson 25%, McDougal 20%, Bergolla/Perez 4%, Oppor 3%, Adams 2%, Fauske 1%, Diaz/Lodise 0%)
- Tanner McDougal — 39% (Carlson 36%, Bergolla 7%, Adams 6%, Pallette 5%, Fauske 3%, Oppor 2%, Lodise 1%, Diaz/Perez 0%)
- Billy Carlson — 52% (Adams 18%, Oppor 12%, Bergolla 9%, Fauske 5%, Lodise/Pallette/Wolkow 2%, Diaz/Perez 0%)
- Christian Oppor — 24% (Murphy 20%, Adams/Fauske 16%, Wolkow 10%, Bergolla 9%, Lodise/Pallette/Perez 1%, Diaz 0%)
- Shane Murphy — 34% (Adams 20%, Wolkow 13%, Fauske 16%, Bergolla 9%, Palisch 4%, Lodise/Pallette/Perez 1%, Diaz 0%)
- Mason Adams — 43% (Wolkow 22%, Bergolla 11%, Fauske/Pallette 10%, Lodise/Palisch/Perez 2%, Diaz/Hodge 0%)
- Jaden Fauske — 24.0% (Perez 23.5%, Hodge 13.4%, Bergolla 12.9%, Wolkow 8%, Pallette 5%, Diaz/Gonzalez/Lodise/Palisch 3%)
- Jeral Perez — 20% (Umberger 15%, Wolkow 13%, Hodge 12.3%, Palisch 11.9%, Bergolla 11.4%, Lodise 7.3%, Pallette 6.9%, Diaz 2%, Gonzalez 1%)
- Grant Umberger — 28% (Palisch 19%, Wolkow 13%, Bergolla 12%, Hodge 11%, Lodise 10%, Pallette 4%, Diaz 3%, Gonzalez/Larson 1%)
- Mathias LaCombe — 41% (Bergolla 19%, Wolkow 17%, Pallette 7%, Palisch 6%, Gonzalez 4%, Hodge/Lodise 2%, Diaz/Larson 1%)
- William Bergolla — 35% (Wolkow 20%, Pallette/Palisch 13%, Larson 6%, Diaz/Gordon/Lodise 4%, Hodge 2%, Gonzalez 0%)
- George Wolkow — 38% (Pallette 22%, Palisch 12%, Gordon 8%, Lodise 6%, Gonzalez 5%, Batista/Diaz/Larson 3%, Hodge 0%)
- Peyton Pallette — 38% (Palisch 13%, Lodise 11%, Gordon/Larson 10%, Gonzalez 8%, Batista 5%, Diaz 3%, Hodge/Mogollón 2%)
- Blake Larson — 21% (Lodise 18%, J. Gonzalez/Palisch 15%, C. Gonzalez 11%, Gordon 10%, Batista 5%, Mogollón 3%, Hodge 2%, Diaz 0%)
- Ky Bush — 24% (Palisch 19%, C. Gonzalez/Lodise 16%, J. Gonzalez 8%, Gordon/Batista 6%, Mogollón 3%, Diaz 2%, Hodge 0%)
- Jake Palisch — 26% (Paez 21%, Lodise 19%, J. Gonzalez 13%, C. Gonzalez/Gordon 8%, Batista/Hodge/Mogollón 2%, Diaz 0%)
- Jedixson Paez — 45% (Nishida 20%, Gordon 14%, C. Gonzalez/Lodise 8%, J. Gonzalez 4%, Mogollón 2%, Batista/Diaz/Hodge 0%)
- Christian Gonzalez — 22% (Nishida 18%, Gordon 17%, J. Gonzalez 15%, Lodise 10%, Hodge 8%, Batista 5%, Mogollón 3%, Diaz 2%, Ziehl 0%)
- Rikuu Nishida — 30% (Gordon 18%, J. Gonzalez 15%, Gowens 10%, Lodise 8%, Batista 7%, Hodge/Mogollón/Ziehl 3%, Diaz 2%)
- Kyle Lodise — 23% (J. Gonzalez/Gowens 18%, Gordon 14%, Batista/Carela 7%, Diaz/Hodge/Mogollón/Ziehl 4%)
- Jacob Gonzalez— 26% (Gowens 21%, Gordon 20%, Schweitzer 11%, Batista 6%, Mogollón/Ziehl 5%, Hodge 3%, Carela/Diaz 2%)
- Riley Gowens — 29% (Zavala 21%, Carela 13%, Gordon 11%, Batista 7%, 11%, Ziehl 5%, Diaz/Hodge/Mogollón/Schweitzer 4%)
- Samuel Zavala — 33% (Carela/Gordon 15%, Alcala 10%, Ziehl 8%, Batista/Schweitzer 5%, Diaz/Hodge/Mogollón 3%)
- Lucas Gordon — 36% (Carela 19%, Alcala/Batista/Schweitzer 9%, Mogollón/Ziehl 5%, Diaz/Hodge 3%, Albertus 2%)
- Juan Carela — 28% (Diaz/Hodge 13%, Batista 11%, Alcala 9%, Iriarte/Schweitzer 7%, Albertus/Mogollón/Ziehl 4%)
- Landon Hodge — 19% (Batista 15%, Iriarte 13%, Alcala/Diaz/Ziehl 10%, Albertus/Schweitzer 8%, Mogollón 6%, Rodriguez 2%)
- Gage Ziehl — 19% (Albertus 17%, Alcala/Galanie 12%, Iriarte 9%, Batista/Diaz/Rodriguez/Schweitzer 7%, Mogollón 3%)
- Zach Franklin — 38% (Alcala 15%, Batista 13%, Albertus/Diaz/Schweitzer 8%, Galanie/Iriarte/Mogollón/Rodriguez 3%)
- Phil Fox — 24% (Alcala 16%, Batista/Galanie 12%, Iriarte/Schweitzer 10%, Albertus/Diaz 6%, Mogollón/Rodriguez 2%)
- Marcelo Alcala — 18% (Alcala 16%, Diaz/Schweitzer 16%, Batista 14%, Albertus/Galanie 9%, Iriarte/Mogollón 7%, Rodriguez 5%, Burrowes 0%)
- Tyler Schweitzer — 43% (Albertus 12%, Diaz 10%, Burrowes/Galanie/Mogollón 7%, Connor/Rodriguez 5%, Batista/Iriarte 2%)
- Caden Connor — 19% (Mogollón 17%, Batista 15%, Albertus/Galanie 13%, Diaz 9%, Shelton 7%, Rodriguez 6%, Burrowes 2%, Iriarte 0%)
- Reudis Diaz — 39% (Batista 14%, Galanie 11%, Albertus 10%, Shelton 7%, Mogollón 6%, Iriarte 4%, Burrowes/Rodriguez/Young 3%)
See ya next year!
Past South Side Sox Prospect votes
- Here is how 2018 wrangled out — all 42 picks. Also, here is an archive of every article in the 2018 series.
- Here is how 2019 came together, all 50 picks, and the archive as well.
- Now 2020, with the archive.
- Here is the 2021 wrap-up of just 35 picks due to flagging participation, along with the full archive.
- Here is the 2022 link to the 27-pick wrap, along with the full archive.
- Round 24 of voting was the last of 2023 (we did not do an actual wrap for the voting, but Jordan Sprinkle ended up being our final pick), and the full archive.
- In 2024 Abraham Núñez was our 34th pick to end the series, and here is the wrap-up post and full archive of each profile.
- And last year, we did 31 picks, ending with Eric Adler. Here is the wrap and full stream, of every article.
LeBron James admits Jaylen Brown’s old comments about son Bronny irked him
It’s been nearly two years since Jaylen Brown made some unflattering comments about Bronny James, but LeBron James made it clear Sunday he’s still not forgotten them.
Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 111–89 loss to the Celtics at Crypto.com Arena, LeBron admitted to being irked by the way Brown spoke about his son during an NBA Summer League game back in 2024.
LeBron James told @RealBobManning he and Jaylen Brown have had a respectful relationship: “Besides the s*** he said about Bronny.”
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) February 23, 2026@CLNSMediapic.twitter.com/ZY3UeugRy2
“Our relationship has been pretty respectful,” LeBron said when asked how he and the Boston superstar have gotten along over the years.
“You know, besides the s–t he said about Bronny in Summer League. But other than that, you know, we’ve been all right.”
While courtside at a July 2024 preseason matchup in Las Vegas, Brown was caught on camera appearing to tell WNBA players Kysre Gondrezick and Angel Reese that he didn’t “think Bronny is a pro.”
He later added that he believed Bronny would make the Lakers’ main roster and not be sent to the G-League during his rookie year “because of his name.”
Brown took to his X page shortly after his remarks went viral, and while he didn’t exactly apologize, he was very complimentary of LeBron James and his son.
It’s a flex to have your son alongside you in the nba it reflects greatness and longevity !Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful I look forward to watching his growth https://t.co/qO4muFSvrn
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 16, 2024
“It’s a flex to have your son alongside you in the nba it reflects greatness and longevity,” Brown wrote. “Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful I look forward to watching his growth.”
LeBron James indicated the statement helped to repair the damage the video caused, but still, it wasn’t hard to tell mixed feelings still linger.
“We’ll be all right,” LeBron James said. “We’ll be all right. He went on social media and said something about it. It’s all good. But Bronny’s got a long way to go. But that’s another story.”
Bronny James was picked by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, and he went on to play 27 games for Los Angeles in his rookie season.
This season, the 21-year-old has seen minutes in 29 contests, averaging 2.2 points per game.
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Sixers hope big win is a lift both on and off the court
There’s never a bad time to snap a four-game losing streak, but the Sixers 27-point win over the Minnesota Timberwolves felt like one of their most needed of the season.
Not only were they reeling, but with Joel Embiid suddenly missing five straight games with various sore body parts, Paul George suspended, and no additions made at the trade deadline all emphasized the fact that there was no help on the way either.
On top of all that, the All-Star break coming in the midst of this losing streak made it linger longer than a typical four-game skid would, with the Sixers going over two calendar weeks in between wins.
They looked rather helpless going into that game against Minnesota as well. Not only was it the second night of a back-to-back, but they were coming off what head coach Nick Nurse called the worst loss of the season, a second half collapse to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans.
With their backs against the wall they turned in one of their best offensive performances of the season, with their reeling backcourt leading the way. Both Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe had been showing signs of wear and tear due to their heavy workloads. They looked recharged in Minnesota, with Maxey dropping an efficient 39 points while Edgecombe put up 24 thanks to a new career-high six made three-pointers.
In the walk-off interview for NBC Sports Philadelphia, Maxey pointed out a return of positive energy. As watching the previous four games wasn’t enough, there were plenty of signs off the court that the vibes were off, from Embiid’s trade deadline plea being thoroughly rejected to Maxey voicing confusion of his role. It felt like the lowest point of the season spirit-wise as well, and its departure was noticed in the win over the Wolves.
“We got back to playing with a little bit of spirit, you seen guys smiling a bit,” he told Kate and Alaa before praising the individual performance of Quentin Grimes.
If anything this win may have showed just how tall of an order it is for the Sixers to keep themselves afloat with Embiid out of the lineup just as much as the losing streak did. They need both Maxey and Edgecombe to be unconscious to give themselves a chance.
What’s made this stretch even tougher is that they’ve had to go through that a really demoralizing trade deadline as well. Despite the best player on the team begging for a serious deadline, all they did was dump a fan favorite player and add one guard who was playing Europe on the buyout market.
The reality that there were no reinforcements on the way was intensified during the losing streak. They weren’t just losing games, but they looked hopeless in doing so. Their only way through is to power through but in Minnesota, they were able to channel that in a positive direction.
“We didn’t have a choice, we don’t got an option man,” Maxey told the broadcast when asked how the team flushed the New Orleans loss so quickly.
Embiid’s return is the only tangible on-court change this team has left up its sleeve. The losing streak has shown the flaws in this roster and the deadline to try to improve them has come and gone. They have one intangible up their sleeves though and that is a positive spirit.
They’ll certainly need to sustain for more than one game and of course nothing is as good for the spirit as winning ball games. The only other change the Sixers can make though finding good vibes again and blowing out the Timberwolves was a step in the right direction.
Spring Game 3 GameThread: Mets @ Jays
No Bo in the Mets’ lineup, which is normal for a road spring game. Teams tend to let veterans skip bus trips.
The Jays have set their pitching rotation for the week:
Today it is Jose Berrios’ first time on the mound since last September, before he went on the IL and then was left off the playoff roster. I’m sure he feels he has something to prove this spring.
As always, don’t read anything in a Spring Training batting lineup. Veterans progress in their own ways in spring. George Springer is planning to have his first game on Thursday
Mets at Blue Jays: Spring training lineups, and broadcast info, 2/23/26
Mets lineup
- MJ Melendez – RF
- Mark Vientos – DH
- Ronny Mauricio – 3B
- Jared Young – 1B
- Hayden Senger – C
- Vidal Brujan – SS
- Jackson Cluff – 2B
- Nick Morabito – LF
- Ji Hwan Bae – CF
Clay Holmes – RHP
Blue Jays lineup
- Andres Gimenez – SS
- Ernie Clement – 2B
- Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
- Alejandro Kirk – C
- Addison Barger – RF
- Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
- Daulton Varsho – DH
- Nathan Lukes – CF
- Davis Schneider – LF
Jose Berrios – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:07 PM EST
TV:
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
GDT: Do these games mean anything yet?
Let’s seize the means of production the coveted Grapefruit League title
No TV covereage today, but the game can be heard through the radio.
First pitch is 1:05 against the Boston Red Sox at Charlotte Sports Park.
Spring Training Game #4: New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, February 23, 2026, 1:05 p.m. ET
Location: LECOM Park, Bradenton, FL
How to Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7, How to Watch: Sportsnet Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home today against the New York Yankees looking to grab a win.
Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.
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BD community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!
Spring Training Game Thread: Twins vs Tigers
First Pitch (CT):12:05
TV: NA
Radio: Tigers – WXYT 1270
Know Yo’ Foe: Bless You Boys
We don’t normally include a lot of info on Spring Training games, but let’s try a new “what to watch” section since stats and results and ultimate don’t matter. I suppose today, “what to watch” would be more “what to look for in Statcast player tracking data” due to the game not being available.
What to watch: Can Austin Martin actually play CF? If Martin is able to be a legitimate option there, it would solve a lot of roster issues in one fell swoop.
Lineups
Twins
SP: Mick Abel
- Austin Martin, CF
- Luke Keaschall, DH
- Brooks Lee, SS
- Ryan Jeffers, C
- Matt Wallner, RF
- Gio Urshela, 3B
- Emmanuel Rodriguez, LF
- Aaron Sabato, 1B
- Tristan Gray, 2B
OPPONENT
SP: Tarik Skubal (LHP)
- Matt Vierling, CF
- Kerry Carpenter, RF
- Gleyber Torres, 2B
- Riley Greene, DH
- Javier Baez, SS
- Colt Keith, 3B
- Spencer Torkelson, 1B
- Trei Cruz, LF
- Jake Rogers, C
England expected to field second-string XV against Fiji due to travel schedule chaos
Nations Championship involves 25,000-mile itinerary
England to split squad in July and leave a team to face Fiji
England have been handed a gruelling 25,000-mile travel itinerary for their inaugural Nations Championship fixtures in July and are expected to split their squad and field a weakened team against Fiji as a result.
As revealed exclusively by the Guardian, England’s match against Fiji – the week after facing South Africa in Johannesburg and the week before playing away in Argentina – will be staged at Everton’s new Dickinson Hill Stadium. Given the logistical problems that playing three matches in three continents in a fortnight entail, it is believed England will split their squad and leave a largely second-string side at home to face the Pacific Islanders.
Continue reading...Seven Days of Sun, Week 18: Survival becomes the primary goal as the rotation thins
Like teams across the NBA, the Phoenix Suns entered Week 18 ready to navigate life after the All-Star break. A team in need of rest got it, and the hope was that they would come out of the pause with some momentum and start pushing toward the finish line. Instead, they sprinted straight into chaos, stepped on a few Legos, banged a shin on the coffee table, and somehow stubbed the same toe twice.
Injuries have hovered over this season from the start, but Week 18 felt like the moment the dam finally broke.
Devin Booker exited the Spurs game with a hip strain. Jordan Goodwin and Dillon Brooks both went down against Orlando. Goodwin is dealing with a calf strain, an injury that always requires caution, and Brooks fractured his left hand, leaving his return timeline uncertain. Grayson Allen missed the Spurs game, played against the Magic, then sat again versus Portland as his ankle continues to linger in the background.
The Suns are not dealing with anything unique around the league. Wear and tear has become part of the daily conversation as more players across the NBA show up on the injury report with that familiar red cross next to their name. It is another issue the league office continues to wrestle with, and one they will never fully solve without accepting that fewer games might mean fewer tickets sold. That debate can wait.
The reality is simpler and heavier. Phoenix is hurting, and a season that once felt special now feels fragile. Without Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, and Jordan Goodwin, the foundation starts to wobble. A team built on hustle and defense is missing two of its best tone setters. A team that thrives on ball movement and finding the open shooter struggles to move the ball without Booker and Allen.
The Suns limp out of Week 18 hoping survival is enough until health returns, because health is the one thing money cannot buy.
Week 18 Record: 1-2
@ San Antonio Spurs, L, 121-94
- Possession Differential: +3.8
- Turnover Differential: 0
- Offensive Rebounding Differential: +8
Against a Spurs team finding its stride, Phoenix was overmatched and undermanned. There were flashes. Jalen Green’s bounce, Mark Williams battled Wembanyama, but none of it really mattered. The Spurs handled the Suns with ease.
vs. Orlando Magic, W, 113-110 2OT
- Possession Differential: +1.2
- Turnover Differential: -8
- Offensive Rebounding Differential: +12
Phoenix survived an absolute rock fight against Orlando. It was the kind of game that makes your eyes hurt and your soul tired, before Jalen Green detonated one moment of pure audacity to end the misery. Nothing flowed. Everything was earned.
Phoenix shot 29% from deep, coughed through 117 attempts, blew a late lead, lost bodies, and still dragged itself out of double overtime with a win. It wasn’t pretty, sustainable, or clean. It was survival. And this week, that counts.
vs. Portland Trail Blazers, L, 92-77
- Possession Differential: -1.2
- Turnover Differential: -2
- Offensive Rebounding Differential: 0
Phoenix couldn’t find any rhythm, and their poor shooting continues to be of concern. What else is concerning? When the door of opportunity opened, no one stepped through it.
Inside the Possession Game
- Weekly Possession Differential: +3.8
- Weekly Turnover Differential: -10
- Offensive Rebounding Differential: +20
- Year-to-Date Over/Under .500: +8
Graphic time.
The Phoenix Suns won the possession battle this week. They took better care of the ball. They competed on the glass. And still, they walked away with two losses. Injuries sit at the center of everything right now, and every stat has to be read through that lens. That part is understood.
What lingers is the depth question. It is being tested, and it is not holding up. Players are operating outside their normal roles, so expectations need to be reasonable, but the drop-off has been real. Since February 1, the Suns are averaging 104 points per game, second-worst in the league. They are shooting 33.5% from three, which is sixth-worst. They average 9.1 steals, which puts them in the middle of the pack. And they are 3-6.
The traits that made this team enjoyable early in the season are slipping. That tells you the system is designed for high-level basketball IQ players, not built to elevate depth on its own. Strong organizations preach next man up because the structure remains functional even when talent thins. Phoenix has kept running the system, but the results have cratered. It is expected. It is part of the season-long evaluation. So far, the Suns are failing that test.
Week 19 Preview
Breathe. That is what the Suns have an opportunity to do over the next week. Only two games on the schedule, both against opponents who know how to make things uncomfortable.
First up is Tuesday, when Phoenix welcomes the Boston Celtics to town. Boston was penciled in by some as a team that might tread water this season, regroup, then reattack later. But that script never materialized. They sit second in the Eastern Conference, driven largely by Jalen Brown, and that matchup will demand real focus.
Two nights later, the Lakers come to Phoenix for the fourth of five meetings this season. That one matters. The standings say so. This is a chance to take a real bite out of them.
After that? Some rest. The Suns don’t play again until the following Tuesday.
Nate Lavender is back with the Mets and aiming to get back on the mound in 2026
It’s not all that common for a relief pitcher in the minors to generate even a moderate level of prospect buzz, but Nave Lavender garnered such attention when we put together our list of the Mets’ top prospects a couple years ago. Coming off a strong season in Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, the 6’ 2” then-23-year-old looked like he’d have a shot at getting a call to the big leagues in 2024.
Unfortunately, the left-handed Lavender made just five appearances with Syracuse to start that season before he hit the injured list. And he went on to have internal brace surgery a few weeks later, ending his 2024 season.
The Mets left Lavender exposed in the Rule 5 draft following the season, and the Rays took him, hoping that they’d get to give him a shot at pitching for them at the major league level in 2025. But Lavender’s recovery wasn’t a smooth one, as he didn’t pitch at all at any level during the season. When the organization designated him for assignment after the season, he cleared waivers and was returned to the Mets.
Taken by the Mets in the 14th round of the 2021 draft, Lavender recently turned 26. Given the fact that it’s been nearly two years since he pitched in a game, he’ll really just be looking to prove that he can get back on the mound and stay healthy during spring training.
If Lavender can do that, it’ll be interesting to see what he looks like in Triple-A Syracuse, assuming that’s where he starts his season. Over the course of his minor league career thus far, he’s flashed incredible strikeout rates, particularly in the aforementioned 2023 season, walked more batters than you’d like to see, and didn’t have much of an issue with home runs until he got to Syracuse.
And while it seems unlikely that Lavender’s spring training showing could be so good that he’d make the Mets’ Opening Day roster, the Mets’ bullpen isn’t exactly stacked with players who are certain to make the team.
Spring training battles: The bullpen
You know the Royals are in a differYou know the Royals are in a different era when they enter camp with few roster spots on the line, rather than holding an open tryout for the lineup. The Royals are pretty much set with their starting nine and rotation, but if there are roster spots to be won, they’ll be in the bullpen. The Royals have the late innings figured out – Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estévez will shut things down late in games. Matt Strahm will likely set those two up, and face the tough lefties. The middle innings will likely be John Schreiber and Nick Mears.
That leaves some jockeying for position for the last three spots in the pen when the team begins the season in Atlanta on March 27. For once, the question isn’t whether the Royals have enough arms — it’s which capable arms won’t make the team. Here’s who could be competing.
The favorites
Alex Lange led the Tigers with 26 saves in 2023 before suffering lat injuries that derailed his career over the last two seasons. The Lee’s Summit native grew up a Royals fan and can miss bats with a 96 mph fastball and a knuckle-curve that opponents hit just .178 against in 2023. But his injuries are a concern, and he has had trouble throwing strikes at times with a high walk rate and a league-high 15 wild pitches in 2022. He pitched just one big league game, spending most of the second half of last year in the minors. Lange has an MLB contract, but has an option year remaining, so the Royals could give him some time to get acclimated in the minors.
Daniel Lynch IV seems like a good bet to be in the big leagues, but with the acquisition of Bailey Falter last summer, he seems somewhat redundant as a left-handed long reliever. Lynch posted a 3.06 ERA in 57 games last year, but he had the third-lowest strikeout rate among relievers and pitched primarily in low-leverage situations. He has an option year remaining as well, but he could become a trade asset with the Royals looking to sell high on his performance last year.
Starter or reliever?
Ryan Bergert would have a chance to crack the starting rotation for many other teams, but will likely be on the outside looking in with the Royals. He flashed some great stuff last year, but had some inconsistent results, so the Royals could very well have him stretched out in Omaha to be the de facto sixth starter. However, he did make four scoreless relief appearances last year, and if they feel like his stuff could be a weapon in the pen, he could make the team.
Mason Black was acquired from the Giants this offseason after making eight starts for San Francisco the past two years. He has struggled both at the big league level and in the upper minors, but could be a good project for Brian Sweeney and the coaching staff. Black throws from a lower arm angle, which could give hitters a different look if he comes out of the pen. Black has an option year, so he’s likely to begin in the Omaha rotation as a depth piece.
Bailey Falter no longer has options remaining, unlike Bergert or Stephen Kolek. That will likely mean he makes the team, although they could try to pass him through waivers and hope no team is willing to take on his $3.6 million salary. Falter was solid in 50 starts for the Pirates in 2024 and 2025, although with a low strikeout rate. But he struggled after being traded to the Royals last July, ending the year on the Injured List. Falter has much better strikeout numbers in his 31 career relief appearances than he does as a starter, so he could prove to be more useful in that role.
Stephen Kolek, like Bergert and Falter, was acquired last summer, but Kolek had the most success with a 1.91 ERA in five starts with the Royals. He doesn’t miss many bats either, but he throws strikes and gets groundballs. He wants to rely on his four-seamer to get more whiffs, and he did have a noticeably higher velo and strikeout rate in 2024 when he worked exclusively as a reliever. Kolek has an option year and seems likely to be sent to the minors to keep him stretched out as a starter, but an impressive spring may make it hard not to carry him in the pen.
Mitch Spence was acquired earlier this month as rotation depth, but he made 24 relief appearances with the Athletics last year. He was solid in 2024, but had mixed results last year, although a lot of that could be due to poor numbers at the home ballpark in Sacramento. He has a high chase rate and a groundball rate of 46 percent, and was more effective as a reliever than a starter last year. He has an option year, but the Royals love his flexibility, and he could be used out of the pen.
Competing for a spot
Luinder Avila is one of the top pitching prospects in the organization and impressed in a cup of coffee last year with a 1.29 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. He brings an electric four-seamer with a hammer curve and a cutter with good break, giving him a three-pitch mix that produced a 50 percent groundball rate in his limited action. Manager Matt Quatraro has suggested the 24-year-old could be a front-of-the-rotation pitcher someday, but for this year, he could cut his teeth in the big leagues as a reliever.
Steven Cruz turned a corner in 2025, reducing his walk rate and making 47 appearances in the big leagues with a solid 3.74 ERA. He doesn’t strike out as many hitters as you would expect for a large-framed right-hander with a fastball in the high-90s. He could rely more on his slider this year, as big league hitters struggled to touch it, hitting just .156 against it with a 24.5 percent whiff rate.
José Cuas was effective for the Royals over 2022-23, but has had trouble throwing strikes since they traded him away. He has returned as a non-roster invitee, so the Royals would need to clear a 40-man roster spot to add him to the team. His sinker has been pretty ineffective the last few years, but if he can get back to throwing strikes and getting groundballs, he could be an option for the Royals.
James McArthur led the Royals with 18 saves in 2024, but lost his effectiveness and suffered an elbow injury late in the year that required surgery. He sat out all of last year, and will look to recapture his 2023 performance, when he had a 23-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 18 games. McArthur has an option year, and could begin the year in the minors to work his way slowly back to the big leagues, but the Royals hope his curve can be a weapon later this year.
Eli Morgan was a pretty savvy signing, joining the Royals on a minor league deal. He had a 1.93 ERA in 32 games with Cleveland in 2024, but appeared in just seven games with the Cubs last year due to an elbow injury. Morgan mixes a 92 mph four-seamer with a slider and changeup, and if healthy, he provides another veteran bullpen arm that throws strikes.
Héctor Neris had 17 saves for the Cubs in 2024, but had an ugly 6.75 ERA last year in 35 games. Despite that, he had a very high strikeout rate, so the Royals will bring the 36-year-old right-hander in to see if he has anything left in the tank. Neris has been plagued by control issues the last few years, but he does miss bats with a solid splitter that opponents had a 36 percent whiff rate against last year.
Long shots
Eric Cerantola is on the 40-man roster, which could give him a leg up, and he did have an intriguing strikeout rate of 11.6 per-nine-innings in Triple-A Omaha last year. He also missed six weeks with injury and had mixed results overall with a 4.04 ERA and a high walk rate. He will be pitching with Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, which could hurt his chances of making the team, but realistically, his hope is to pitch well in Omaha and become a factor in the pen later this year.
Helcris Olivárez is a 25-year-old the Royals signed in the offseason who has pitched in the Rockies, Red Sox, and Giants organizations, but has yet to make his MLB debut. He’s a lefty who throws in the mid-90s and held opposing lefties to a .136 batting average in the minors last year. He’s almost certainly ticketed to Omaha, but lefties are always needed and it wouldn’t be a total surprise to see him in Kansas City at some point.
Aaron Sanchez faced the Royals in the 2015 ALCS as a member of the Blue Jays and was an All-Star the following year, but has not pitched in the big leagues since 2022. Right shoulder injuries have kept him out of action, and he did not even pitch in the minors last year, but he impressed scouts with his performance in the Dominican Winter League over the offseason, winning Pitcher of the Year honors. A former starter, Sanchez seems likely to be used as a reliever at this point in his career, but he will need to show he can stay healthy and induce groundballs the way he did a decade ago.
Texas Rangers lineup for February 23, 2026
Should we start doing the lineup posts at this point in camp? Sure, why not…
The lineup:
Haggerty — CF
Jansen — C
Duran — 3B
Foscue — 1B
Canha — RF
Wade — SS
Cauley — 2B
Herrera — DH
Velazquez — LF
Jack Leiter is on the mound for Texas. 2:10 p.m. Central start time.
Injured Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton (shingles) to stay away from team
Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was already missing the 2025-26 NBA season as he continues his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, but he will be away from the team for a separate issue.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Sunday, Feb. 22, that Haliburton has come down with shingles and will spend two to three weeks away from the team to recover.
“It's a very painful thing,” Carlisle told reporters. “... He will make a full recovery, but this happened over the last few days. He was meeting us in D.C. and had some odd symptoms and he came back (to Indianapolis). That's what's happening with him. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery. It's a unique case and a unique situation, but I talked to him a few times and he's always in a good mood, so he'll get through it.”
Tyrese Haliburton injury update
According to the Mayo Clinic, shingles is a common viral infection caused by the same virus that results in chicken pox, varicella-zoster. Shingles produces a painful rash and is most likely to occur in persons older than 60, though anyone who has contracted chicken pox can contract it.
Haliburton, 25, suffered his Achilles rupture early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals in June. The Pacers have confirmed that Haliburton will spend the entire 2025-26 season recovering from the injury. The Pacers are 15-43 and have the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
Haliburton, a two-time All-Star, averaged 17.5 points, 8.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game last season. He starred in the playoffs and became known for his late-game heroics, hitting several game-tying or game-winning shots in the final seconds of massive games.
Haliburton has shared his progress from his Achilles rupture, including posting videos on social media of him working out and even participating in pick-up games.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyrese Haliburton injury update: Pacers star contracts shingles