CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Germany sweeps two-man bobsled medals, second such sweep in Olympic history.
Scouts weigh in on Mets' Carson Benge: 'He’s a natural as a hitter'
PORT ST. LUCIE - Carson Benge knows all eyes are on him, in a sense, here in spring training. He’s not pretending that he’s unaware of the expectations, after David Stearns publicly left the door open for him to fill out the Mets’ starting outfield.
But as a hitter who says he is best when he “keeps things simple,” Benge insists he’s not feeling the weight of those expectations as he tries to make the ballclub this spring in his second full professional season.
“I need to be as free as possible, that’s when I’m at my best,” Benge told me me at his locker on Tuesday. “That’s how I’m going to approach it. If I don’t make it, I won’t be disappointed because it will mean I didn’t earn it. And that would light more of a fire for me to get to the big leagues.”
That’s probably exactly what the Mets’ brass, and fans as well, want to hear. Benge projects a casual confidence that is probably ideal in this situation, and though he doesn’t say it, you get the feeling speaking to him that he believes he’s ready for the big leagues.
In that case, there’s a chance he’ll be the Nolan McLean of position-player prospects, adapt quickly at the big league level, and blossom into the impact hitter that could be something of a missing piece to the 2026 Mets’ offense.
Which would be quite remarkable, if it happens, considering that like McLean, Benge was a two-way player at Oklahoma State, but unlike his teammate, chose hitting over pitching after being drafted by the Mets.
McLean, for one, wouldn’t be surprised.
“He’s a super-gifted player,” McLean said Tuesday. “I’ve pitched against him a bunch of times in workouts, in the pros and in college, and he’s a really tough out. He’s going to make you throw it in the zone. If you get him to chase you’ve really accomplished something.
“I always thought he’d eventually choose hitting over pitching just because he was so good. From the day he rolled in (at Oklahoma State) he had a knack for getting the barrel to the ball, which isn’t easy coming into a program at that level. He was a better hitter than I was.”
Benge, meanwhile, says much the same about McLean.
“He could hit but I always felt he’d end up pitching,’’ he said. “You could see his stuff could play at the highest level.”
In fact, Benge says he’s never seen a pitcher spin the ball the way McLean can.
“It’s gross,” he said with a laugh.
As for himself, Benge says he was still largely undecided between pitching and hitting when he was drafted by the Mets as their first-round pick in 2024.
“I talked to the people in the Mets’ front office and they felt like I’d have a chance to get to the big leagues quicker as a position player than a pitcher. And I said, ‘I’m all for it.’“
Scouts say there never should have been much doubt.
"He’s a natural as a hitter,” said one scout who saw him at all three levels at which he played last season, from Class-A Brooklyn to Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. “He’s got a very advanced approach, as far as hitting the ball where it’s pitched and staying disciplined in the strike zone. That’s what allowed him to rise so quickly.”
Benge, meanwhile, smiled when asked about that advanced approach and said, “Honestly, I keep it simple. See the ball, hit the ball. And hit it hard.”
If that’s the case, it’s fair to wonder if he needs to make adjustments, considering he struggled at Triple-A after tearing it up in Single- and Double-A, hitting .178 in 24 games there.
Benge, however, makes the case that the numbers are deceiving.
“I felt like I was in a good spot there, seeing the ball well,” he said. “I felt I was putting some good swings on balls, but not as many dropped for me. That’s baseball.
“It was good to go through it, though. Everybody has to at some point. The only difference I noticed in the pitching there was that guys were better at hitting their spots. But I didn’t feel a stuff difference.”
One scout who saw Benge in Triple-A offered a reasonably similar assessment.
“He didn’t look overmatched when I saw him,” the scout said. “I saw him get pitched tough, maybe because he already had some hype around him. He probably got himself out a little more at that level because he was seeing guys command their off-speed stuff better. I saw some hard contact but I’d also say he could use a little more time there before he’s ready for the big leagues.’’
That’s a determination the Mets will make this spring training, depending on what Benge does in Grapefruit League games.
In the meantime, they’re taking out some insurance, signing veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman in a deal the club has yet to announce. It’s a smart move – they need a Plan B, since they can’t be sure about how Brett Baty will look in the outfield.
Still, you hear much the same evaluation of Benge from inside and outside the Mets’ organization.
As that same scout put it:
“If he’s not there in April, I’d make a big bet he’ll be there by June or July. He can really hit.”
Twins right-hander Pablo López has major elbow injury that likely will need season-ending surgery
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Minnesota Twins suffered a major setback during their first full-squad workout, an elbow injury that likely will sideline ace Pablo López for the entire season.
General manager Jeremy Zoll told reporters at the club’s spring training facility on Tuesday that López has a “significant tear” in his right ulnar collateral ligament. He was seeking a second medical opinion but expected to need Tommy John surgery, Zoll said. López ended his bullpen session early on Monday after experiencing soreness in his throwing elbow.
The team’s opening day starter in each of the last three years, López was grappling with a double disappointment with the probable loss of not only the upcoming major league season but the World Baseball Classic next month, when he was scheduled to pitch for his native Venezuela.
“I already feel I’m letting a lot of people down,” said López, who was limited to 75 2/3 innings last year because of injuries. “I’m letting myself down. I’m letting the Twins down. I’m letting my family down.”
López, who turns 30 on March 7, is making $21.75 million this season. He is signed through next year.
“We know injuries are part of the game. You’re always trying to get through spring training as healthy as possible,” Zoll said. “It’s definitely a blow, but we’re going to just do the best we can to push forward.”
López made his major league debut with the Miami Marlins in 2018 and spent five seasons with them before being traded to the Twins. López made the All-Star team in his first year with the Twins and helped the franchise end an all-time record 18-game postseason losing streak for North American professional sports, going 2-0 with an 0.71 ERA in two starts in the 2023 playoffs.
When López was in the Seattle Mariners organization, he had Tommy John surgery that kept him out of the 2014 minor league season.
“We’re not designed to throw things that hard for an extended time,” López told reporters at the Lee Health Sports Complex. “Having done it once, I can do it again. Doesn’t mean I want to, but I’m going to have to and I know I can.”
López missed about three months last season with a shoulder injury. As the Twins were slashing payroll, he was mentioned often as a prime trade candidate, but the front office opted to keep him and right-hander Joe Ryan at the front of what was expected to be a strong rotation.
Now the Twins are missing their most important piece, with Ryan, an All-Star in 2025, now the ace and right-hander Bailey Ober under pressure to bounce back and be a reliable No. 2 starter.
Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews and David Festa are all 25-year-old right-handers who have combined to make 98 starts over the past two seasons, with at least one or two of them likely to make the opening rotation. Taj Bradley and Mick Abel were acquired in the flurry of trades during the week leading up to the deadline last summer and also are firmly in the mix.
“In a lot of ways, we view this as a real opportunity for someone to step up and take advantage of that,” Zoll said. “We’ll pick up the pieces once we have a better handle on things.”
Jeff Skinner clears waivers after Sharks waive veteran forward
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Veteran forward Jeff Skinner cleared waivers Tuesday after the San Jose Sharks waived him the day before.
The Sharks said it was a mutual decision to part ways.
“We want to thank Jeff for his contributions to the organization, and wish him all the best,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said in a statement.
The 33-year-old, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract with San Jose, had six goals and seven assists in 32 games.
Skinner has scored at least 30 goals six times and won the Calder Trophy in 2011 as the NHL's top rookie while playing for the Carolina Hurricanes.
He played in the postseason last season for the first time in his career, suiting up for the Edmonton Oilers.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
No. 3 Texas hosts Lamar in season’s first midweek matchup
After a weekend sweep of the UC-Davis Aggies, the No. 3 Texas Longhorns are back at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Tuesday to host the Lamar Cardinals looking to extend their series winning streak to six games.
Led by longtime head coach Will Davis, now in his ninth season with the Cardinals, Lamar enters Tuesday’s game at 2-1 on the season following a home series win over Oakland on opening weekend, missing a chance at a sweep because a 3-2 loss in 10 innings on Sunday.
Shortstop AJ Taylor is off to a hot start for the Cardinals at the plate, hitting .444 with two doubles against Oakland while second baseman Beau Durbin and center fielder Tab Tracy came up clutch with five RBI apiece.
The Lamar pitching staff held Oakland to a .204 batting average, but behind the plate Texas State transfer catch Theo Kummer had some issues controlling the base paths, allowing the Golden Grizzlies to steal five bases without throwing a runner out. And despite the poor batting average, Oakland recorded the only two home runs of the series.
Senior right-hander Blayne Fritcher, a reliever at McNeese last year, will receive the start for Lamar.
For Texas, sophomore right-hander Jason Flores is set to make the sixth start of his career after going 4-2 with a 2.78 ERA while holding opponents to a .205 batting average last season. Schlossnagle praised Flores’ maturation during the offseason, which helped him win a stiff competition to open the season as the midweek starter.
Schlossnagle and pitching coach Max Weiner also want to get a look at a number of young arms out of the bullpen on Tuesday with freshmen right-handers Brett Crossland, Sam Cozart, and Brody Walls all expected to make their collegiate debuts after strong starting pitching to only use five relievers in the weekend sweep of UC-Davis.
The Longhorns want to get some players going at the plate, too, like junior catcher Carson Tinney, who was able to draw seven walks, but only had one hit in six at bats. While Schlossnagle appreciates Tinney’s ability to work deep in counts, he also wants the powerful Notre Dame transfer to be more aggressive attacking early strikes.
“He’s a good baseball player, and the hitting stuff is going to come around,” Schlossnagle said on Monday. “He’s going to constantly be earmarked as the guy that has to be pitched to in a certain way and pitched to carefully, which is why we need somebody around him to maybe even get some pitches to hit.”
In the weekend batting order, that player was junior first baseman Casey Borba, who has started the season 2-for-11 (.182) because he’s narrowly missed multiple home runs that were pulled foul and had another big swing that resulted in a ball hit well to center field that he just got under.
First pitch is at 5 p.m. Central on SEC Network+.
Flyers Call Up Goalie Prospect From AHL
The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have recalled goaltender Carson Bjarnason from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
With Dan Vladar currently representing Team Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Bjarnason will fill in for him at the Flyers' practices until he returns to the club.
Still, this is a good opportunity for Bjarnason to get some practice time with the Flyers and show them what he can do. The 20-year-old goaltender is viewed as having good upside and has the potential to emerge as a nice part of the Flyers' roster in the future.
Bjarnason is currently in his first AHL season with the Phantoms. In 22 games with the AHL club so far, he has recorded an 11-7-3 record, a .889 save percentage, and a 3.08 goals-against average. This is after the 2023 second-round pick had a 22-15-3 record and a .913 save percentage in 40 games this past season with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Lakers President of Business Operations Tim Harris leaving after this season
When the Lakers were sold to Mark Walter, the initial conversations focused on keeping things relatively the same. Jeanie Buss was going to remain the governor of the Lakers, and while an injection of money was imminent, perhaps it didn’t mean people were going to be leaving.
Well, just a couple of months into the transaction, and business has been far from usual.
Joey and Jesse Buss were terminated from their executive positions along with most of the scouting staff.
Now, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Tim Harris, the Lakers President of Business Operations, will not return next year.
Harris is widely considered responsible for the Lakers’ local TV rights deal with Spectrum SportsNet, which is incredibly good. That deal has brought in billions of dollars to the franchise over the years, helping the Buss family run the organization.
Considering that Harris has been with the Lakers for over 35 years, this is a major shake-up. It’s unknown at this time why this is happening, or whether Harris had been contemplating it for a while, or if the change in ownership influenced his decision.
What is known is that Harris was one of the people in Jeanie Buss’ inner circle who received a huge bonus after the sale of the Lakers.
Another thing that is all but guaranteed is that this won’t be the last person to leave the Lakers in the near future. A new owner often means changes are on the way.
And even if the perception is that Walter allows his employees to do their work and can be a bit hands-off, he didn’t hire the current people working for LA.
So, expect change to be a constant for the purple and gold. And even people like Harris, who have been with the franchise for decades, will be exiting as Walter fully takes over and starts making more decisions.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
Zack Gelof: Outfielder?
Looking to give him more chances to play, the A’s are reportedly set to get second baseman Zack Gelof some time on the grass this spring in an effort to boost his versatility.
Which makes sense! Offseason acquisition Jeff McNeil looks like he’ll be getting the majority of the reps at second base (with an occasional appearance at third in the cards as well). That means unless Gelof is hoping for an injury, he’s not going to be lining up at his primary position anytime soon.
In the majors second base is the only position Gelof has played. He did begin his professional career as a third baseman so he has some experience there in the minor leagues. While the A’s are still unsettled at the hot corner he hasn’t gotten meaningful playing time at the position since ‘22.
Getting him some reps at the hot corner this spring seemed like a no-brainer entering camp but the A’s are apparently thinking bigger than that. With the recent departure of Max Schuemann the A’s don’t have a super-utility player on their roster. If the A’s can add some outfield (namely center field) to Gelof’s bag of tools that makes the Athletics’ roster all the more flexible. It’d also add another layer of security in case a younger guy like Colby Thomas, Carlos Cortes or Junior Perez isn’t ready for a part-time role.
Several players have made a successful conversion from the dirt to the grass in recent years, most recently the Padres’ Jackson Merrill (formerly a shortstop, now an elite center fielder) and our very own Tyler Soderstrom (once a catcher, then a first baseman, now a Gold Glove finalist in left field). The Diamondbacks are attempting a position switch with their own prized infield prospect as well, getting shortstop Jordan Lawler reps in center field this spring. Lawler and Merrill are fast guys but Gelof’s no slouch himself, swiping 25 bags just two years ago.
The transition that Gelof is going to attempt to make has been done in the past, and Gelof is enough of an athlete that he should be able to handle himself decently well as he gets used to an unfamiliar position. How well he hits will be the ultimate factor in how long he holds a roster spot but adding more positions other than second base can only help boost his value to the club this coming season.
So how do you guys think the Gelof-to-the-outfield experiment will work? Discuss and debate below in the comments!
Question Time: Blue Jays Spring Training Advice
Something vaguely resembling a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game will occur on Saturday. Until then, we’re in grainy cell phone video of batting practice land. I’ve actually never been to the Jays’ spring training home in in Dunedin (the Cactus League in and around Phoenix is much more accessible from here in Calgary), but I know a lot of our commenters have and I’m sure a few are planning to check it out this year.
Given that, I thought today I’d open things up for a bit of an advice thread. For those of you who’ve gone down to Florida, do you have any advice about where to stay, what to eat, where to sit in the stadium? And anybody considering going down this spring, what would help you to plan your trip? Let’s try to share some info and make sure anyone flying down this year has as much fun as possible.
Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. undergoes surgery to remove growth in left knee
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a growth in his left knee.
The Jazz said Jackson will begin rehabilitation and be re-evaluated in four weeks to determine his recovery status. Dr. Travis Maak performed the procedure in Salt Lake City.
Utah acquired Jackson from Memphis in an eight-player trade on Feb. 3. A post-trade physical revealed the localized pigmented villonodular synovitis growth.
Jackson was acquired as a key building block with Lauri Markkanen.
The 26-year-old was drafted by the Grizzlies with the No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft. He was a two-time All-Star in Memphis and the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Jackson, who played in three games for Utah, has averaged 19.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 48 games this season.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
The Long Forecast: Anderson rises, Wilson falls as Flemings leads the pack
As the college basketball season pushes deeper into the winter stretch, the picture surrounding the 2026 NBA draft class is continuing to evolve.
In the newest installment of The Long Forecast on NetsDaily, we take a closer look at the latest risers, fallers, and the latest in the NCAA as we continue to inch closer to June.
Where do the Nets’ picks sit?
The Nets lost their lone game after last week’s column, falling to the Indiana Pacers, 115-110, at home.
They currently hold the NBA’s fifth-worst record at 15-38, while their second-round selections currently sit at Nos. 35 and 41 overall.
Here are the latest mock drafts from Tanakthon and Bleacher Report.
Risers
Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
Christian Anderson has taken a meaningful sophomore leap at Texas A&M this season.
In 24 games, he averages 19.1 points and 7.7 assists, shooting 43.5% from 3-point range across 38.8 minutes per contest.
Against the No. 1-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Anderson erupted for 19 points and eight assists while knocking down 40% of his 3-point attempts, leading the Red Raiders to an overtime road victory.
He can score at all three levels and is an elite shot creator, standing 6’3” and 178 pounds.
Aderson currently projects as a late first-round pick, but at this pace, he will rise even further as the draft approaches.
Fallers
This has absolutely nothing to do with performance.
Caleb Wilson had been putting together a tremendous freshman campaign, flashing his two-way versatility and high defensive upside that made him one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft class.
However, a broken hand halted that momentum. Wilson is still only a freshman, but he will need to get back on the court, re-establish his rhythm, and show scouts he can produce at the same level post-injury.
If he returns healthy and looks like himself, the long-term outlook won’t change, but in the short term, the injury will inevitably raise questions about his draft stock.
Spotlight of the week
Kingston Flemings has been one of the most productive guards in the country at Houston this season, averaging 16.4 points and 5.3 assists while shooting 49.2% from the field in 31.1 minutes per game.
Beyond that, his poise has stood out while operating the Cougars’ offense as a freshman.
The Nets also seem to be interested.
Speaking on the “Locked on Nets podcast,” with Erik Slater of Clutch Points, No Ceilings’ Corey Tulaba said that the Nets have expressed interest in the 19-year-old.
Standing at 6’4” and 190 pounds, Flemings is highly athletic, can score at all three levels, and is making a case as the top point guard in this year’s draft class. Finally, the kid can play defeense.
Sleepers
At 6’9” and 250 pounds, David Mirković is beginning to catch fire at Illinois during his freshman season.
Against Indiana on Sunday, he turned heads, pouring in 25 points, while collecting seven rebounds and shooting 62.5% from the field.
On the season, Mirković is averaging 13 points and eight rebounds in 29.1 minutes while shooting 47.9% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc.
Mirkvoić is unique because he can use his size to dominate the rebounding game, yet he is also productive as a perimeter shooter.
It is a skill set worth monitoring as evaluators search for upside beyond the consensus tier.
This week’s watch guide
Here is a list of NCAA games fans should tune in to this week.
- February 18, 7:00 PM tip-off: Arkansas @ Alabama
- February 18, 10:00 PM tip-off: Illinois @ USC
- February 21, 1:00 PM tip-off: Cincinnati @ Kansas
- February 21, 3:00 PM tip-off: Arizona @ Houston
- February 21, 6:30 PM tip-off: Michigan @ Duke
- February 23, 9:00 PM tip-off: Houston @ Kansas
Dodgers 2026 spring training broadcast schedule
The Dodgers on Tuesday announced the broadcast schedule for spring training, with 29 of 31 exhibition games televised by SportsNet LA, plus an extra game that serves as a tuneup for the World Baseball Classic.
The Dodgers begin their spring training schedule this Saturday against the Angels in Tempe.
The only two Cactus League games not televised by SportsNet LA are on split-squad days. On Saturday, February 28, the Dodgers will televise their game against the Cubs at Camelback Ranch, while their game in Surprise against the Rangers won’t be televised. Same for Sunday, March 15, with the home game against the Rangers on TV locally, but their road game in Mesa against the Cubs not on SportsNet LA. That March 15 Dodgers-Cubs game will be televised by the Marquee Sports Network, which means that Cubs broadcast will be available to watch on MLBtv.
SportsNet LA will also televise the Dodgers’ exhibition game on Wednesday, March 4 against Team Mexico in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
Tim Neverett and Rick Monday are back for the television call for the Dodgers games in Arizona. For the exhibition Freeway Series against the Angels from March 22-24 in Southern California, Stephen Nelson will call play-by-play for SportsNet LA.
The Dodgers-Reds game on March 5 will also be televised by ESPN, a non-exclusive broadcast. Same for March 23 against the Angels from Dodger Stadium, but streamed on ESPN Unlimited.
AM 570 will simulcast the SportsNet LA call for 17 spring training games. KTNQ 1020 AM will broadcast eight games from spring training, with José Mota and Luis Cruz on the Spanish-language call for the first five games in the Cactus League as well as the three Freeway Series games in Southern California.
| Date | Opponent | Time (PT) | TV | Radio |
| Sat, Feb 21 | at Angels | 12:10 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570, KTNQ |
| Sun, Feb 22 | at Padres | 12:10 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570, KTNQ |
| Mon, Feb 23 | Mariners | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570, KTNQ |
| Tue, Feb 24 | Guardians | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA | KTNQ |
| Wed, Feb 25 | at D-backs | 12:10 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570, KTNQ |
| Thu, Feb 26 | White Sox | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Fri, Feb 27 | at Giants | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Sat, Feb 28 | Cubs (ss) | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Sat, Feb 28 | at Rangers (ss) | 12:05 p.m. | none | none |
| Sun, Mar 1 | Angels | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Mon, Mar 2 | at Rockies | 12:10 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Tue, Mar 3 | at Guardians | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Wed, Mar 4 | Mexico (WBC prep) | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Thu, Mar 5 | at Reds | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA, ESPN | none |
| Fri, Mar 6 | Royals | 5:05 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Sat, Mar 7 | Rockies | 5:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Sun, Mar 8 | at A’s | 1:05 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Mon, Mar 9 | at Brewers | 1:10 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Tue, Mar 10 | D-backs | 1:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Thu, Mar 12 | Reds | 6:05 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Fri, Mar 13 | at Mariners | 6:10 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Sat, Mar 14 | at White Sox | 1:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Sun, Mar 15 | Rangers (ss) | 1:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Sun, Mar 15 | at Cubs (ss) | 1:05 p.m. | Marquee (Cubs) | none |
| Mon, Mar 16 | Brewers | 1:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Tue, Mar 17 | at Royals | 6:05 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Wed, Mar 18 | Giants | 1:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Fri, Mar 20 | Padres | 6:05 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570 |
| Sat, Mar 21 | A’s | 12:05 p.m. | SNLA | none |
| Sun, Mar 22 | at Angels (Anaheim) | 6:07 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570, KTNQ |
| Mon, Mar 23 | Angels (LA) | 6:10 p.m. | SNLA, ESPN Unlimited | AM 570, KTNQ |
| Tue, Mar 24 | Angels (LA) | 5:10 p.m. | SNLA | AM 570, KTNQ |
Padres just desperate enough to sign Walker Buehler
From one side of the rivalry to the other.
Maybe.
Walker Buehler agreed to a minor league deal with the Padres, hoping to make their Opening Day roster the rotation as a starter.
“It’s a really good opportunity to be a part of a talented ball club and looking forward to seeing what we can make of it,” he told reporters in Arizona on Tuesday morning while donning the brown and yellow Padres colors for the first time. “I think it’s the way I’ve viewed every spring, come in and try and make the team, contribute anyway I can. Obviously I’m a starter and want to start so here to try and make the rotation.”
It’s been a far fall from grace for the 31-year-old Buehler.
He was widely regarded as one of the better pitchers in baseball during his early years in Los Angeles, winning the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers while being named a two-time All-Star and having two top-10 finishes in Cy Young voting.
But injuries have greatly derailed his career.
He had Tommy John surgery in 2022, resulting in him missing the entire 2023 season. He returned in 2024 with the Dodgers but looked far from who he was pre-surgery. He posted a 5.38 ERA in 16 appearances, though he did close out the 2024 World Series against the Yankees.
He spent the majority of 2025 with the Red Sox, posting a 7-7 record and 5.45 ERA before he was designated for assignment.
The Phillies took a chance on Buehler late last season and he rewarded them with his best stretch of games since his early career years with the Dodgers. He went 3-0 in three appearances with a 0.66 ERA.
“I liked a lot of the stuff I was working on in Philadelphia, just kept throwing and working through some stuff,” he said. “I feel like the delivery is a lot closer to what it was kind of pre-’22. I threw the ball well over there, and getting the velocity back as well as the delivery has kind of been the big thing. The second half of last year was relatively successful compared to the first half.”
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Finally gaining some momentum going into this season after the way last year ended, Buehler tried to capitalize on that momentum by making small changes to his offseason program.
“My elbow and my body have kind of been through some stuff,” he said. “I kind of took a different approach and moved out here for the offseason, then got my body in a little better spot.”
Obviously there’s some stuff we want to build on there and get some of the velocity, the explosiveness, whatever you want to call it, back. But I took this offseason just a little bit different and I feel like it’s worked out well.”
Buehler’s signing comes at an ideal time for the Padres as they’re dealing with rotation issues heading into spring training in Arizona.
The Padres have a top three of Nick Pivetta, last year’s breakout star, Michael King, who signed a three-year, $25 million deal to return to the Padres after injuries limited him to 15 starts last season, and Joe Musgrove, who’s coming off Tommy John surgery. But the cupboard is pretty bare after that.
Randy Vásquez has the inside track on one of the final two spots in the rotation.
Yu Darvish, a staple of the San Diego rotation over the past five seasons, had elbow surgery in October and is out for the season. Other options include Kyle Hart and JP Sears.
Enter Buehler.
He’ll be awarded every opportunity to earn a spot in the Padres rotation. And if so, maybe he’ll open up about being on the other side of one of baseball’s best rivalries.
“Yeah it feels a little weird … obviously some familiarity with the division,” he said with a laugh. “I imagine five years ago it would’ve been a lot more weird but, this is a crazy game and this is a great opportunity for me to again be a part of a really talented baseball club. It’s what I’m here to do.”
Yankees Notes: Cam Schlittler returns to mound work, Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s mindset entering contract year
Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke to the media following Tuesday's workouts in Tampa…
Cam Schlitter back on the mound
The lack of concern the Yankees expressed over Schlittler's mid-back inflammation was validated on Tuesday, as the right-hander returned to the bullpen mound in Tampa for the first time since being slowed down late last week.
Schlittler, whose minor back-lat issue emerged a few weeks ago, was limited to flat ground throwing over the weekend. But the 25-year-old's precautionary break from mound work has ended, and the Yanks don't believe the interruption to his program put him behind schedule for Opening Day.
"Went good. Something we weren't overly concerned about, just being where we are in the calendar," manager Aaron Boone said. "Just wanted to make sure it didn't turn into something bigger. Everything went well, accordingly. Keep moving forward."
The Yankees are relying on Schlitter to be a rotation mainstay, considering their regular season will start with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt on the injured list.
Schlittler, who made his big league debut last summer, registered a laudable 2.96 ERA with 84 strikeouts across 14 starts (73.0 innings). He delivered his most impressive performance in the AL Wild Card Series, when he punched out 12 in an eight-inning shutout over the Red Sox.
All Jazz'd Up
While the offseason trade rumors involving Jazz Chisholm Jr. never intensified, his long-term value to New York became a hot topic of conversation.
The veteran infielder, who avoided arbitration with a $10.2 million deal for 2026, is currently slated to test free agency next winter. Chisholm hopes his career continues in pinstripes, even though the status of extension talks is unclear.
When asked about Chisholm's mindset entering a contract year, Boone sounded extremely confident in the reigning Silver Slugger embracing team and personal expectations without any hitches.
"I feel like he's in a really good frame of mind. He's incredibly confident, for good reason, in his ability to go out there," Boone said. "If he goes out there, goes to the post and does his thing, and hopefully keeps improving his game, he's going to put himself in a real good position."
Chisholm is coming off a highlight 2025 season, in which he slashed .242/.332/.481 with a career-high 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 130 games. He finished as one of just seven players to produce a 30-30 campaign.
Boone chuckled when he heard Chisholm's latest goal is to achieve a 50-50 season, but he tried his best not to rule out the two-time All-Star's lofty plan.
"We'll be in a good spot if he does," Boone said with a smile. "It's hard to put a ceiling on him. He went 30-30 last year and missed a month and didn't run for two months. He's capable of some special things between the lines."
Grapefruit League opener revealed
While there was some speculation on rising prospect Carlos Lagrange starting the Grapefruit League opener, Boone announced Elmer Rodríguez-Cruz will get the ball on Friday against the Orioles in Sarasota.
Rodríguez-Cruz, named the Yankees' Minor League Player of the Year in 2025 by Baseball America, registered a 2.58 ERA with 176 strikeouts across three levels, finishing the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Pirates 2026 Season Previews: Starting pitching
In 2025 the starting pitching was a bright spot for the Pittsburgh Pirates, with 2025 CY young winner Paul Skenes being the headliner and with young pitchers looking to make an impact, the starting pitching could be a force again in 2026.
Skenes is coming off a really strong 2025 season, finishing with a 10-10 record, a 1.97 ERA which led the league, 216 strikeouts, and a 0.95 WHIP over 32 starts (187.2 innings). He also set the franchise record for strikeouts by a right-handed pitcher. The Cy Young winner will be the face of Pittsburgh’s starting rotation and the clear top guy. The ace is going into his third season with the Buccos with a lot of people expecting him to continue his dominance and to continue to prove that he is one of if not the best pitcher in the league right now.
There is also Mitch Keller who is looking like he is going to be the second guy after Skenes in the rotation. Keller posted a 6-15 record, but that is deceiving. The right-handed pitcher had 4.19 ERA and 150 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.26. Those aren’t terrible stats for Keller, as he struggled with getting run support in his starts. Now those stats don’t match up to what he did in his breakout 2023 season, where he went 13-9 and had 210 strikeouts. Now Keller’s name has been thrown around in trade rumors, but nothing came from that, so expect him to be a big part of this team to start the season.
Another young pitcher who has a clear path to a rotation spot is Bubba Chandler. Chandler is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball right now. He had a 4.05 ERA with a 27.4% strikeout rate, 0.72 HR/9, and 12% walk rate at Triple-A Indianapolis last season. The Pirates called him up towards the end of last season but in a reliever role where he threw for 31.1 innings and had a 4.02 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 1 save. The young prospect is expected to be thrown into a starting role this year instead of a relief role, and he is expected to make a serious impact with Keller and Skenes.
Braxton Ashcraft will look to build upon a strong rookie season last year. The 26-year-old took the mound 26 times with eight starts and went 4-4 with a 2.71 ERA in 69.2 innings. Ashcraft will likely receive an extended workload and be the fourth or third guy in the starting rotation. Although the Pirates will need to be cautious given his injury history.
Right now it looks like the final spot in the rotation will go to either Hunter Barco, Thomas Harrington, José Urquidy or Mike Clevinger. Barco is a top 100 prospect who made his debut at the end of the season, where he played 2 games, struck out 3 and got a win. Harrington also made his debut last season, but he struggled, allowing 15 runs and 18 hits in three games pitched, but is still considered a quality prospect with a lot of potential.
Urquidy recently agreed to a one-year deal. The veteran has had some injuries in the past but was a really solid pitcher early in his career, and him now being healthy should be a good pickup for Pittsburgh. Clevinger joined the club as a non-roster invitee with him being a younger player there is a lot of potential surrounding him as well.
Jared Jones is also expected to be back for Pittsburgh a little later in the season, as he is recovering for his injury. Jones missed the entire 2025 season but put up a solid number in 2024 with a 6-8 record. He also had a 4.14 ERA, with 132 Strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.19.
To start the season, I think the starting pitching rotation will be Skenes, Keller, Chandler, Ashcraft and Urquidy. Which is going to be a dangerous rotation and arguably the best rotation in the National League Central.
With a healthy Jared Jones, Pittsburgh is expected to have one of the top starting pitching rotations for the 2026 season. Overall, the starting rotation looks like it will once again be a huge strength of the team.