Category: Sports News

Chase Burns got the start in Saturday afternoon’s contest between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians in the two teams’ combined complex in Goodyear, Arizona, and in doing so officially began their Cactus League campaign.

Burns kept the Guardians off the board in a pair of scoreless frames, doing so without so much as allowing a hit. He did walk a trio against a pair of strikeouts before handing the ball over to Rhett Lowder, a fellow Wake Forest product who’s also very much in the mix for a spot in the team’s Opening Day rotation. Lowder fanned 4 in his pair of IP, though he did get dinged for a pair of hits, a walk, and a run allowed. Julian Aguiar, himself an outside candidate for the team’s starting rotation, similarly allowed a run in a pair of IP.

On the offensive side of things, it was once again Will Benson haunting his former club. Cleveland’s former 1st round pick slugged a 2-run homer off righty Colin Holderman after lefty Logan Allen – Cleveland’s starter on the day – departed after a pair of scoreless frames. in a battle for a spot on the Opening Day roster himself alongside the likes of JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe as one of the team’s lefty bats with some pop, it was once again a reminder that Benson still owns a wealth of yet-to-be-tapped potential that he showed, at times, in 2025 during a horribly unlucky campaign on the surface.

Edwin Arroyo chipped in with a double and a run scored for the lone other extra-base hit on the day for Cincinnati, while Hagen Danner – a former 2nd round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays – was tagged for a pair of ER in a lone IP out of the bullpen to wrap up the pertinent portions of Cincinnati’s box score.

Jose Franco will take the ball to start tomorrow’s game against the Seattle Mariners as the Reds play host at Goodyear for the first time (they were the road team against Cleveland on Saturday). First pitch in that one is set for 3:05 PM ET, though it will only be able to be perceived with your ears via 700 WLW and the MLB At-Bat app.

Record: 1-1. Change on 2025: +1. 5-inning record: 0-2.

Yeah, after yesterday’s well-pitched endeavor, this was very much the opposite. It was probably worse than the score actually indicates, since the Diamondbacks put up a crooked number in both the eighth and ninth innings, to leave the final tallies looking more respectable than they deserved to be. After a scoreless first inning for Mitch Bratt, things got out of hand quickly. Colorado scored five in the second though to be fair, Bratt wasn’t helped by two misplays at the hot corner from LuJames Groover (only one being scored an error). His replacement out of the pen, Zane Russell, then faced four batters without retiring anyone, and that was the end of this as a contest.

All told, the D-backs needed ten pitchers to get through the game. Casey Anderson, who replaced Russell in the second, was a rare bright spot, striking out both hitters he faced. Alfred Morillo, Yu-Min Lin and Spencer Giesting were all charged with multiple runs, though Lin did come back out for a seven-pitch second inning, after initially being lifted with two outs in the fourth. I got quite excited seeing Diaz work a clean seventh with a pair of K’s, though turns out this was Indigo rather than Yilber. All told, Arizona pitchers struck out thirteen, but walked eight, all in the first six innings. Must do better there.

With all the attention on Jordan Lawlar's position, people forget about his pop 💥

Lawlar leaves the yard for the first time in 2026 💪 pic.twitter.com/UDAC1BA6sD

— Reno Aces (@Aces) February 21, 2026

On offense, Jordan Lawlar got the team on the board with a home-run in the second (above). Though he may not be a fan of the new ABS system getting rung up on three straight called strikes his next time up – two of which were successfully appealed balls! He also walked, while Tim Tawa also had a hit and a walk. Tawa’s replacement, Tommy Troy, went 2-for-2, including an RBI double in the ninth. And keeping up with the ABS score, there were eight challenges during today’s game, five of which proved successful. Rockies’ catcher Hunter Goodman was particularly effective, being perfect in his three challenges.

Tomorrow, the team gets to face someone apart from the Rockies for the first time. They face the Angels at Salt River, with another 1:05 pm start, and Kohl Drake the scheduled starter.

The Dodgers scored nine runs in the first two innings, turning their Cactus League opener into an 15-2 drubbing of the Angels on Saturday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Things were going so well offensively for the Dodgers that they chased starter José Soriano with two outs in the second at 31 pitches. But, this being spring training, that wasn’t a full hook by new Angels manager Kurt Suzuki, and Soriano was right back on the hill to begin the second inning. But after a five-pitch walk to open the frame, Soriano’s day was done.

That didn’t stop the scoring, as the Dodgers scored six runs in the second inning after a three-run first, turning this one into a laugher from the jump.

A six-spot in the second! pic.twitter.com/zzOJ7zP0p1

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 21, 2026

Hyeseong Kim, in the mix for playing time at second base while Tommy Edman is out, got things going early with a two-run single in the first inning and an RBI single in the second. He also shared his skincare routine with Kirsten Watson in the dugout during the game.

Shohei Ohtani was only expected to bat three times, the norm for regulars, especially this early in spring training. He got that work in by the top of the second inning, leading to an early exit. Ohtani had an infield single and scored to lead off the game, and made the first and third outs in the extended second inning.

The mention this week of Teoscar Hernández aiming for a Gold Glove Award was farfetched, even before he dropped a fly ball at the left field wall in the second inning. Though this was mostly due to the sun wreaking havoc in that part of the field. Bread and butter for Hernández though is at the plate, and he collected a hit in each of the first three innings, including a double, and scored three times.

Andy Pages doubled and tripled in his three at-bats. Non-roster invitee Santiago Espinal started and played three innings at third base, with an RBI single, two walks, and two runs scored in his three trips to the plate.

One more time

In between the outbursts in the top of innings, Yoshinobu Yamamoto got the ball for his first start in camp. After a perfect first inning with two strikeouts and a long layoff in between, Yamamoto was less sharp in the bottom of the second, giving up a double and two singles for two runs, one earned.

3 Ks for Yoshinobu Yamamoto in his 2026 #DodgersST debut! pic.twitter.com/TsePd127Sc

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 21, 2026

It was initially thought Yamamoto would only make one start for the Dodgers before leaving next week for the World Baseball Classic. But he told reporters in Tempe he’s slated to start again Friday, which is in Scottsdale against the Giants, before leaving for Tokyo.

Prospect watch

Zach Ehrhard, one of two minor league outfielders acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Dustin May last July 31, got the start in right field, and contributed a walk and RBI double in the second inning inning.

Zyhir Hope in left field and 100-steal man Kendall George in left got into the game in the third inning, with Josue De Paula in right field and James Tibbs III at first base by the fourth inning. Hope doubled and scored in the ninth, and made a diving catch to save two runs and end the sixth inning.

Left-hander Adam Serwinowski, acquired last trade deadline in a three-team deal involving the Reds and Rays, pitched a scoreless fifth inning with a walk and two strikeouts.

Luke Fox, a 2023 draft pick who ended last season with Double-A Tulsa, struck out three with a walk in a scoreless eighth inning.

Up next

The Dodgers have another road game on Sunday, battling the San Diego Padres in Peoria (12:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Jackson Ferris starts on the mound for Los Angeles. Sadly, the Padres aren’t turning to a recent non-roster invitee addition, robbing us of a Ferris-Buehler pitching matchup. Instead, Randy Vásquez starts for San Diego.

Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto toed the rubber Saturday for the team's Cactus League opener against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium with the expectation that it would be his only start before joining Team Japan for next month's World Baseball Classic.

Even manager Dave Roberts believed that was the case as he came out to lift his star pitcher with two outs in the bottom of the second inning of the Dodgers' eventual 15-2 win.

“Doc came to the mound, and he said, 'Good luck in the WBC,'” Yamamoto said via interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “But actually, I have one more game to pitch."

After giving up one earned run, three hits and striking out three in his 30-pitch outing, Yamamoto said he believes his next start will be on Friday against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium.

Read more:What to expect with MLB's ABS system, and how Dodgers will navigate it

Yamamoto cruised through the first inning, striking out third baseman Yoan Moncado swinging and getting shortstop Zach Neto to look at a called strike three on a darting sinker.

But then the Dodgers, who had scored three runs in the top of the first, sent 11 men to the plate, scoring six runs on five hits, two walks and a hit batter in a half-inning that took nearly 30 minutes. Yamamoto believes the long break between innings may have disrupted his workflow, contributing to a messy second inning.

A dropped fly ball on the warning track in left field by Teoscar Hernández spelled trouble for Yamamoto, scoring a run and allowing Jo Adell to reach second base with nobody out. Yamamoto struck out the next hitter, getting left fielder Josh Lowe to swing through a splitter, before allowing back-to-back outfield line drives to catcher Logan O’Hoppe and second baseman Christian Moore. After Bryce Teodosio flied out for the second out of the inning, Yamamoto's day was done.

Yamamoto reached into his five-pitch repertoire Saturday, mixing in six fastballs, eight splitters, five sinkers, four cutters, four curveballs and three sliders. His fastball sat between 91 and 93 mph, topping out at 94.9 mph.

"I was looking for some stuff I needed to get back before I go back to Japan and join the team,” Yamamoto said. “I was looking forward to the feeling, the delivery and those things.”

He added: "Yesterday's practice, I was already feeling good. And then, somehow I was able to carry that to today's game, especially the first inning. I think I was great, but due to the gap between innings, that affected me a little bit."

With Yamamoto’s time being limited with the Dodgers before the WBC, Roberts spoke pregame Saturday about what he hopes to see from his star pitcher in the time leading up to the event.

“I think that obviously, him going and pitching for Team Japan, he’s going to be trying to ramp it up and get prepared,” Roberts said. “So, I think it’s just more of what he does [on] strike one, [how he] uses secondaries, and be efficient and get some outs.”

Though Yamamoto will pitch once more before leaving for the WBC, Roberts told reporters that he isn’t concerned about the WBC interrupting Yamamoto’s preparation for the regular season.

“I think I’m confident because there’s no exact science on ramping up early and success, or being methodical and not participating to result in success during the season,” Roberts said. “There’s just no exact science. For me, and for all of us, you’re just believing in the player, knowing that he knows what it takes to be ready for a season and he takes care of himself, so I think for me, it’s an easy way to think and wrap my head around, just kind of believing in him, trusting him.”

Etc.

Just over a week into camp, utilityman Hyeseong Kim has already made a strong first impression, as he vies for more playing time in his second season. On Saturday, he went two for three with three RBIs to help spark the Dodgers' offensive outburst. Elsewhere, the top three hitters in the lineup — Shohei Ohtani, Hernández and Andy Pages — combined for six hits in nine at-bats with two RBIs. ... The Dodgers claimed outfielder Jack Suwinski from the Pittsburgh Pirates. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred utilityman Kiké Hernández to the 60-day injured list.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

TEMPE, AZ — He’s the iron man of pitching, stretching the human element to limits beyond comprehension, so it only made sense that World Series hero Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the first pitcher to step onto the mound Saturday in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring-training opener.

“When you think about it,’’ Joel Wolfe, Yamamoto’s agent, told USA TODAY Sports, “what can’t he do?’’

Let’s see, in the past 12 months, he led the Dodgers in the regular season with 30 starts and 173.2 innings, going 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA.

In the playoffs, he became the first pitcher to throw consecutive complete games since Curt Schilling for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, and the first to pitcher to end a World Series game by retiring 20 consecutive batters since Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956.

In the World Series, he was the first pitcher to start a World Series game one night and pitch on no days’ rest the next since Hall of Famer Randy Johnson in 2001 against the New York Yankees.

And here was Saturday, back on the mound, dominating the Los Angeles Angels in their Cactus League debut, yielding three hits and one earned run with three strikeouts, throwing 22 of his 30 pitches for strikes.

“I was already feeling good in practice,’’ he said. “I was looking forward to the feeling, the delivery, and those things.’’

When he walked off the mound, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts patted him on the back and told him, “Good luck in the WBC."

Oops. Yamamoto reminded him that he will make one more start Friday. He then is scheduled to fly to Japan and help Team Japan in its quest to win consecutive World Baseball Classic titles.

How in the world can you describe what this dude is doing?

“Easy,’’ said Wolfe, who was among the sellout crowd at Tempe Diablo Stadium watching the game, “he’s a freak. There's nobody like him. He doesn't follow the typical standards and limitations of other people.’’

It would certainly be understandable for the Dodgers to try to persuade Yamamoto to pass on the WBC. The tournament's history is littered with pitchers who either broke down or struggled in the ensuing season. Yet, the Dodgers didn’t interfere a bit. They actually encouraged him, knowing how much this means to Yamamoto wearing his country’s colors, and the pride he takes in trying to lead Japan back atop the international baseball world.

“For me, and for all of us,’’ Roberts said, “you’re just believing in the player. He knows what it takes to get ready for a season. He takes care of himself. For me, it’s an easy way to kind of think and wrap my head around, believing in him and trusting him.

“From the day we signed him, how intentional he is about his work and body care. He’s not going to put himself in harm’s way.’’

When Yamamoto was asked Saturday if he had thoughts at all about skipping the WBC, he started laughing so hard, he never answered.

Yamamoto said he already spoke to the Dodgers about his workload in the WBC. He’s scheduled to start in the opening series with their first game March 7 in Tokyo against Chinese Taipei.

The reality is that the Dodgers began planning a detailed spring-training schedule for Yamamoto two weeks after the World Series concluded, with the Dodgers’ trainers and conditioning employees keeping in contact virtually every day. He took only one month off before he began training again in December.

“They were so deeply immersed in everything that he does,’’ Wolfe said, “it wasn't like they were just winging it. They planned how spring training was going to go, the WBC, load management, and planning out the season. It’s all been carefully orchestrated.’’

Yamamoto still doesn’t consider him a hero, and blushes when folks call him a Dodgers legend, but make no mistake about it — he would love to become the first Japanese pitcher to win a Cy Young Award, and add a few more to his trophy case as he begins the third year of his 12-year, $325 million contract.

“He wants to be great,” Roberts said. “He wants to win a Cy Young. He hasn’t done that yet, so that’s a carrot. But I think he prides himself on being consistent and being really good. Every time he takes the ball, he expects to win, we expect to win.’’

Says Wolfe: “He’s so driven, but to him, personal goals are secondary. He just wants to win. You saw it in the World Series. The guy’s literally willing to do anything and everything to win. Think about how young (27) he is, too. He’s just getting better and better and stronger and stronger, and learning more and more about the hitters. He just keeps developing.

“This guy is the Michael Jordan version of pitching.’’

He’s proving why teams were tripping over each other trying to sign him two years ago, and with a full-scale bidding war, the New York Mets were actually told to stop raising their offer when Yamamoto made his intentions known that he wanted to pitch for the Dodgers.

Teams who heavily scouted Yamamoto in his last season in Japan watched him lead Japan to the WBC title in the spring of 2023. He then went on to win his third consecutive Eiji Sawamura Award (Japan’s version of the Cy Young) by leading the league in victories, ERA and strikeouts. And for a curtain call, he carried the Orix Buffaloes to Game 7 of the World Series by throwing 138 pitches and striking out 14 batters in their Game 6 victory.

“Here’s a guy who was about to be posted, get what we thought would be a $100-million-plus deal, so you think maybe he’d throttle it down a little,’’ Wolfe said. “Even we were saying, 'Hey, don’t get hurt. Be careful.’ But that wasn’t him. He just kept that throttle going.’’

So, considering Yamamoto’s resume in Japan, why should anyone be shocked watching him throw a complete game in Game 2 of the World Series, pitch six shutout innings in Game 6, pitch 2⅔ innings in relief in their 5-4, 11-inning victory in Game 7, and win the World Series MVP with a 3-0 record and 1.02 ERA with 15 strikeouts?

Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, called it the “greatest accomplishment I’ve ever seen on a baseball field.’’

And for Yamamoto, well, it brought simple tranquility.

“I was able to get into the offseason with a great feeling,’’ Yamamoto said when he arrived into camp, “and I was able to go into the offseason with more calmness.’’

Yamamoto’s chill attitude and extraordinary work ethic is why Roberts refuses to freak out over his WBC participation, saying there simply are no hard-core facts that his early ramp-up could lead to an injury or poor performance.

“I think I’m confident because there’s no exact science on ramping up early,’’ Roberts said. “Could it affect him later this year? Absolutely,’’ Roberts said. “But it could also not affect him.

“I don’t live in that world, I really don’t. … It’s up to all of us to be mindful of workloads, short-term and long-term.’’

So, the looming question now is that, after throwing 211 innings last season, winning his second consecutive World Series title, along with the World Series MVP, what can Yamamoto possibly do for an encore?

“I think we were all blown away from what he accomplished in the World Series,’’ Wolfe said, “but you do wonder what’s next. Who knows? But knowing him, I’m sure he’ll find something.’’

Follow Nightengale on X: @BNightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominates for Dodgers in spring training debut

MESA, Arizona — Cubs pitchers struck out 14 Rangers hitters Saturday afternoon on another gorgeous day at Sloan Park.

For whatever that’s worth. A few Cubs regulars and a bunch of minor leaguers couldn’t put together much offense, though, and so the Cubs lost their second straight Spring Training game, 3-2 to Texas.

Matthew Boyd put together what I thought was a decent outing, though he didn’t finish the second inning after throwing 36 pitches (25 strikes). He was the victim of a fly ball that Pete Crow-Armstrong lost in the sun and then dropped, generously called a double for Tyler Wade, who then scored on a single by Sam Haggerty to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the second. Boyd did strike out four, so that’s a good start to his spring season.

Here’s Boyd’s fourth K [VIDEO].

The Cubs tied the game up in the bottom of the second. Pedro Ramirez walked, stole second and scored on a single by Jefferson Rojas.

Rojas also made an offline throw in the fourth that pulled Jonathon Long off first base, and Long left with an injury [VIDEO].

It was reported after the game that Long left with a left elbow strain. As you can see in the clip that when he goes down he’s holding his arm after colliding with Mark Canha. It’s a tough blow if Long misses time in Spring Training. It’s unlikely he would have made the Opening Day roster anyway, but this obviously sets him back.

That play helped lead to a two-run inning off Hoby Milner. Otherwise the Cubs bullpen did a pretty good job, including Luke Little, who didn’t walk anyone (progress!), though he did hit a batter, and Jack Neely, who issued a walk but struck out three.

The Cubs scored another run in the fourth. Triantos led off with a single and went to third on a single by Ramirez. Rojas grounded out, scoring Triantos to make it 3-2.

That was it for scoring, and after the fifth it was all minor leaguers finishing things up.

Of note, there were five ABS challenges in this game, three of which resulted in a call being overturned. The last of these was a strike-three call which would have ended the game. Hayden Cantrelle challenged and got it overturned — by seven-tenths of an inch [VIDEO].

That is exactly the sort of situation ABS challenges are designed for — close game, bottom of the ninth, the hitter thinks he’s got a chance at another pitch instead of the game being over.

Which is what Cantrelle got — and then he struck out swinging on the next pitch to actually end the game.

But at least that call was changed to the correct one.

Attendance watch: 12,073 paid to see this Saturday afternoon contest, bringing the season total for two dates to 26,492, or 13,246 per date. The next Sloan Park game will be Tuesday vs. the Padres.

The Cubs travel to Scottsdale to face the Giants Sunday afternoon. Colin Rea will go for the Cubs and Robbie Ray will go for the Giants. There will be a TV broadcast Sunday via Giants TV and there’s also a radio broadcast with the Giants announcers on their flagship station KNBR 104.5.

Jose Miranda agreed to a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres in December of 2025. He did not receive much attention in the months following his signing and kind of got lost in the roster discussion following the frenzy of moves made by the Padres on and after Valentine’s Day. The Padres, manager Craig Stammen and the Friar Faithful are very aware of Miranda after his first two Spring Training games with the organization, the second of which netted Stammen his first managerial win.

Miranda went 3-for-3 with a walk, two singles and a double with four RBI and a run scored to help the Padres get a 10-3 win over the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz. on Saturday. The production by Miranda on Saturday followed a 2-for-3 performance in a 7-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Friday. His two hits against the Mariners were a two-run home run and a double.

Jose Miranda doubles to drive in a run, making it 6-3 Padres in the top of the 8th. pic.twitter.com/UxwjUwaObY

— ⚾️ Shawn (@Shawnimack) February 21, 2026

With limited bench spots available on the San Diego roster, players like Miranda who are battling for a spot cannot afford to have a poor performance. He seems to understand that and is looking to make the most of his opportunity with the Padres.

San Diego catcher Freddy Fermin also had a productive game against Kansas City in his first action of the spring. Fermin drove in the first run of the game in his second at-bat with a double to left in the top of the fifth inning. That followed his first at-bat when he connected on a well struck fly ball to center field that was knocked down by the wind for a flyout. Fermin also showed what he can do behind the plate throwing out Bobby Witt Jr. at second base on a pitch in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth inning. He also used the ABS challenge system successfully, getting a ball overturned to a strike.

It's time for the Ferminator 🫡 pic.twitter.com/peNVb29KwX

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

Other notable offensive moments for Padres hitters against the Royals was a double by Bryce Johnson in the top of the first inning, a triple by Mason McCoy in the top of the second, a double by Ramon Laureano in the top of the third, a solo home run by Nick Solak in the top of the eighth and a double by Samad Taylor in the same inning. Taylor finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored in the game. San Diego racked up 18 hits in the contest.

Matt Waldron, who is in competition for one of the final rotation spots for the Padres, started the game against the Royals and delivered two scoreless innings, allowing one walk and just one hit. Waldron faced Royals starters Jonathan India, Witt Jr., Vinny Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, Kyle Isbel, Dairon Blanco and John Rave. Blanco was the only player to record a hit against the San Diego starter.

Matt Waldron discusses his two scoreless innings against the Royals today, his knuckleball usage, being out of options this Spring, and more. pic.twitter.com/T8yMwcfPPV

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 21, 2026

The Padres return to the Peoria Sports Complex to host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at 12:10 p.m.

There was quite a bit of action between today’s two split-squad games, so I’ll try to walk you all through the highlights. The Guardians won both games, against the Reds and Brewers, respectively, to start 2-0 in the Spring.

The addition of the ABS Challenge System to Spring Training games has brought Statcast to every Spring Training game, so we’ll have more concrete stats from every game.

The Reds game featured a few notable Guardians’ pitchers: Logan Allen, Doug Nikhazy, and Colin Holderman.

Allen was decent, and his velocity was up across the board. His CSW% (Called Strikes + Whiffs) was 25%, which is below average. Usage-wise, he dropped the usage on his sinker and picked up the usages on his cutter and changeup. That’s all.

Holderman gave up a loud homer. Velocity was about the same as it was last year. Did a decent enough job of missing bats (outside of the homer).

Nikhazy pitched 2 scoreless innings, and notably, Nikhazy’s sliders were 4 mph faster than they were last year. (unless Statcast was misclassifying those pitches).

On the offensive side, neither Kwan nor Jose got on base. Naylor and Arias had back-to-back doubles to start the scoring. (Naylor’s double was 101 off the bat). Fry went 1/3 with a 96mph RBI double to left. Carter Kieboom (lol) whacked a center-cut fastball to drive in the game’s winning runs. We saw a little of Khalil Watson, Ralphy Velazquez, and Juan Brito, too. Only Watson got on base, however. Singled and walked. Not much to talk about in Ralphy’s performance, but Brito’s highlighted an issue I know many scouts have had with him — his arm. There were a few plays with the potential to turn two, and it seemed like he just wasn’t getting much zip on the ball on his throw to first. Something to monitor throughout Spring Training as we’ve seen the Guardians toy around with Brito both at 1B and in RF.

We got to see a very funky righty reliever in Cam Shuelke. He pitches from a Tyler Rogers-esque arm angle, and threw a 68 mph slider! He was very effective, though, striking out the only batter he faced with the bases loaded.

The Brewers game was much more exciting, and was unfortunately not the game being televised. The starting lineup featured Cantillo on the mound, and DeLauter, Manzardo, Valera, Halpin, and Bazzana. DeLauter went 2/3, with his out coming off a 107mph lineout to the pitcher. Aram Leighton was at the game, and captured videos from all of DeLauter’s 3 BBE’s. You can watch them here. We also got to see Genao, Chourio, Ingle, and Alfonsin Rosario. Ingle clobbered a 3-run homer in his only at-bat. Genao walked, Chourio went 0/2, and Rosario went 0/1.

Cantillo’s velocity was up, though he seemed to be a bit all over the place in the 1st. They took him out and brought him back in for the 2nd, and he gave up a moonshot to Brandon Lockridge. Connor Brogdon came in in the 3rd and struck out 2 Brewers.

It’s all still here.

The Mariners played their second game of Spring Training on Saturday, the first of 33 consecutive Saturday games in 2026. There was noticeably less excitement around the blogosphere for this matchup, the novelty of the new season already faded, laying bare the sloppy, non-competitive play of February baseball. But it was nice to feel routine settling in. We’ve got a long way to go.

Like most Spring Training games, I watched this one with good intentions early, but my interest slowly faded as more recognizable faces left and the play got worse. I’m writing this sentence right now in the eighth inning against a muted TV, my eyes flicking up to see Rhylan Thomas lose a ball in the sun for a triple. (My latest peek sees him make a great catch sliding into the wall in left center to end the inning; it appears the Giants scored four times since my last glance.)

Anyways, the Mariners lost to the Giants 10-5 on Saturday. Here are some notes.

Emerson Hancock

Emerson Hancock made his first start of 2026. This is something of a make or break Spring Training for him. He now has 31 starts in MLB over the last three years with a 5.38 FIP, and there isn’t much to root for in the peripherals.  While the team thought it best move him to the bullpen at the end of last season, they’ve given him another shot as a starter at the outset of 2026. Unlike the last two seasons, however, he’s not a lock for the sixth starter job out of camp. His future in the rotation could very well hang on his performance in his first few outings.

How’d he look on Saturday? Eh, pretty good. He came out pumping 96-97 on his fastballs and picked up five whiffs in the first inning alone. His velocity dipped slightly in the second, and his command was spotty, but he ended the day with four strikeouts and nine whiffs. 

The outing was encouraging for a first look in 2026. But we’ve seen Hancock ramp up the velocity for an inning or two in the past. To take the next step, he’ll need to show he can be effective deeper into games; he didn’t quite get through his two scheduled innings Saturday.

Colt Emerson and Cole Young

Colt Emerson—the other Emerson—got into his second straight game. He’s battling for spot on the Opening Day infield. He got the start at third base and batted ninth. He struck out in both of his opportunities. 

Battling for the same infield spot is Cole Young, who delivered two pretty solid at bats, drawing a pair of walks on eight pitches each. As I detailed in his 40 in 40, Young’s power-patience combo is an exciting premise for his future at the plate. But as I highlighted in the same post, his defense is still somewhat troubling. Right on cue, he didn’t take charge on a pop up in the second inning and let it fall for an infield double. Two runs scored on the play, and two more runs scored on the next play.

Miles Mastrobuoni

Miles Mastrobuoni is also fighting for a spot on the end of the Mariners’ Opening Day bench. He’s making a strong case right out the gate. After going 1-for-2 with a double on Friday, he walloped a grand slam off Hayden Birdsong in the bottom of the first. He followed that up with a hustle double on a line drive into the left center gap in the third. That’s three extra base hits in four plate appearances to start 2026 for Mastrobuoni.

Andrés Muñoz, Gabe Speier and Eduard Bazardo

Andrés Muñoz pitched the third. He gave up a pair of leadoff doubles and also got a pair of strikeouts. I don’t have much to say about his outing, other than, hey, good to see him again. That’s roughly my assessment for Gabe Speier and Eduard Bazardo, who also pitched in the game.