San Diego Padres Xander Bogaerts (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a move that drew little fanfare, San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen made a subtle change to the batting order. He moved Xander Bogaerts from the bottom of the lineup to the leadoff spot and Fernando Tatis Jr. to the middle of the order.
The Padres are seeking better run production from the lineup in 2026. The manager wants a leadoff hitter who has a high on-base percentage and can put himself in scoring position to maximize the lineup’s run-producing potential. Bogaerts fits the criteria, as he is a high-contact hitter with a career .350 OBP and stole a career-high 25 bases last season.
Leadoff hitters were once catalysts for an offense
Historically, the prototypical major league leadoff hitter was a catalyst for their team to get off to a good start in games. They reached base either by a base hit or drawing a walk because of good plate discipline.
It forced a starting pitcher to throw his entire repertoire during the course of the at-bat. Taking pitches allows their teammates to gauge how a pitcher is throwing before their initial plate appearance. Once at first base, a leadoff hitter must use their speed to put themselves in scoring position for the middle-of-the-order hitters.
Some of the best examples of this type of leadoff hitter are Rickey Henderson, Lou Brock and Ichiro Suzuki.
Speed no longer required to leadoff
However, in today’s analytical-driven sport, baseball has shifted the definition of a leadoff hitter. Managers want them to maximize their team’s first at-bats with proven hitters. Instead of a speedy table setter, the focus is now on finding a leadoff hitter with power and discipline.
The advanced metrics show Bogaerts fits the bill, as he has a consistent contact rate at 80% and an above-average career strikeout rate at 18% heading into the 2026 campaign. Stammen recognized that he averages at least four pitches before Bogaerts puts the ball in play. Having his batting acumen at the top of the lineup should jump-start the Friars’ offense.
By all signs in Spring Training, the move to the leadoff spot should offer a resurgence for Bogaerts at the plate. The projected numbers for him are a .272 batting average with a .331 OPS this season. It demonstrates that Bogaerts can make the transition from the lower third to the top of the order.
The Padres manager believes a consistent contact hitter is the right approach for the leadoff spot of the batting order. Bogaerts can draw walks, put the ball in play, and occasionally hit the ball out of the park.
Stammen expects the current look of the Friars’ lineup to score runs, but it all begins at the top.
Luis Torrens / | Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images
When the Mets picked up Luis Torrens from the Yankees early in the 2024 season, it wasn’t exactly the biggest news. Then in his age-28 season, the catcher had racked up 807 major league plate appearances but hadn’t cracked the Yankees’ major league roster. And up to that point, he was worth -1.7 fWAR in the time he had spent with the Padres, Mariners, and Cubs.
But everything changed once he got his opportunity to play for the Mets. In 130 plate appearances over the course of 48 games with the team that year, he was worth 0.8 fWAR thanks entirely to a major improvement in his defensive metrics. Having put up an 89 wRC+ that year, he improved a bit from his previous career mark of 79, but the turnaround was much more pronounced behind the plate than at it.
Torrens returned to the same role with the Mets last year, and he got more playing time thanks to a variety of injuries suffered by starting catcher Francisco Alvarez. In 283 plate appearances, he wound up with a 79 wRC+, but thanks to even better defensive metrics, he finished the season with 1.6 fWAR.
The Mets made a whole bunch of moves over the course of the offseason, but they didn’t really do much at catcher to give Torrens competition. Sure, Austin Barnes and Ben Rortvedt are in major league camp as catchers, as are longtime Mets minor leaguers Hayden Senger and Kevin Parada. None of them seem likely to displace Torrens, even though several of them—including Torrens—are out of options.
Projections published at FanGraphs see more of the same from Torrens as he enters his age-30 season: a below-league-average bat with good defense who can contribute about one win to the team by fWAR. It’d be a perfectly cromulent outcome for a relatively unheralded role on a good team.
MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 18: Lawrence Butler #4 of the Athletics takes live batting practice during a spring training workout at the Lew Wolff Training Complex on February 18, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Morning everyone and welcome back to Friday!
The Athletics’ Opening Day is exactly two weeks away. That means big decisions are coming all across the team soon enough. From who lines up at the hot corner (looking like Max Muncy has won that job), to the back half of the starting rotation, to the bullpen and the bench spots, manager Mark Kotsay is going to be having to make some serious choices here in the next few days.
One of the bigger decisions he will have to make is in regards to right fielder Lawrence Butler. One of the four core players the front office has already signed to an extension, Butler seemed to emerge as a difference-maker during the second half of the 2024 campaign, his first real extended look in The Show. He hit an amazing .300/.345/.553 with 13 home runs in just 61 games, which when combined with his above-average defense in right field made him look like a budding star. That was enough for the front office to make him the second extension they came to, mere months after locking down Brent Rooker.
The first season of his new deal didn’t go as the A’s or Butler had hoped though. His stats fell across the board in almost every category, all while maintaining a .304 batting average on balls-in-play so it’s not like he was getting suddenly unlucky. It’s not what the A’s had envisioned for Butler but after the season we were all informed that the 25-year-old was playing on a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. That injury had to have had some effect on his performance, right? Especially considering how he struggled much more significantly in the second half (.203/.268/.351).
The hope is that that major injury was the cause of Butler’s regression in 2025. The left-handed swinger was expected to be a crucial part of any A’s success last year and those expectations remain high in what’ll be his third full season as a big leaguer.
He’s yet to get into any spring action though and we’re really running out of time to get him ramped up. Kotsay doesn’t think so at this point, saying that Butler has been getting his at-bats in the batting cage and in games against minor leaguers. Not exactly what A’s fans would hope for but at least he’s been active and getting reps with his bat. And Butler agrees:
“I feel great at the plate,” Butler said. “I’m glad they’re letting me get all these at-bats to let me continue to work on my approach at the plate. I might not run after I hit, but I’m still getting the reps in that are needed for me to be ready for the regular season.”
Despite the serious nature of the injury it seems that he’s suffered no setbacks and is feeling ready for the upcoming grind of a six-month baseball season. The biggest and final thing for him to do is start playing in the outfield, which he has yet to do in any capacity so far this year. It sounds as though the tentative plan is to get him into some game action this coming week, but whether he plays on the grass or is merely DH’ing is unknown at this point.
Hopefully he can log some time in right field before camp is over, because Butler’s needed out there with our guys. With Rooker’s presence taking up the DH spot there isn’t a chance to exclusively put Butler’s bat in the batting order during the first few weeks of the season if he’s not ready for defensive duties. That could mean a season-opening IL stint for Butler, where he can continue to build strength in his knee and get some action reps in the outfield down in Triple-A with the Aviators.
Where would that leave the big league club for the first few weeks of the season? Firstl looking at players currently on the 40-man roster, former top prospect Colby Thomas seems like he would be the logical bet to get some at-bats in right field but the right-hander is just 4-for-28 this spring with seven punchouts, and he also struggled last year in his first taste of big league pitching. Carlos Cortes could be an option, and he’s a switch-hitter, but he’s just 3-for-9 this spring and has been with Team Puerto Rico for the past week-plus and is just 3-for-13 playing for his national team. If the plan is a platoon in right field while Butler’s on the shelf then Cortes would likely be in the lineup for Opening Day considering the Blue Jays will be sending right-hander Dylan Cease to the mound.
Jeff McNeil was always expected to get some outfield work this year and has played 124 games there in his career, but the A’s brought him aboard to play second base. The A’s could, but almost certainly won’t, send Rooker out to the grass, though he made 20 starts in right field last year. Andy Ibanez is the only other player on the 40-man roster to have played right field in the big leagues, and that was just seven starts back in 2023.
If the A’s were feeling a bit bold, however, they could turn to their minor league system, where top prospect Henry Bolte is itching for his chance. The 22-year-old outfielder has been having an amazing camp, opening the eyes of both the watching fans and the coaching staff. The right-handed hitter wouldn’t be a perfect one-for-one replacement for Butler, as the lefty-swinging Butler has more pop but Bolte has more speed. Which isn’t how the A’s offense plans to operate this year but it could be a change of pace for opposing pitchers to deal with him on the basepaths. He has only played 34 games at Triple-A however so some more seasoning in Las Vegas already seemed in order (though he tore the cover off the ball in that short sample with the Aviators).
How do you guys think the right field situation is going to play out? Is Butler really going to beat expectations and be in the lineup Opening Day in Toronto? Or will the A’s turn to a Plan B that sees the A’s just try to get by while waiting for his return? Or do the A’s get aggressive with one of their top prospects who has been hitting the ball fantastically all spring? Comment and debate below!
If you’ve been watching any Athletics spring games this year, you already knew that:
Max Muncy continues to perform as one of the top hitters in all the Cactus League. He crushed a 440-foot solo shot off Jack Leiter in his first at-bat today for his third homer of spring. Now batting .414 with a 1.390 OPS.
Mar 12, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Brennen Davis (78) breaks his bat against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Good morning everyone! Happy Friday.
Emerson Hancock continued to look sharp last night, but the Mariners fell to the Cubs 7-4. If Hancock is indeed placed back into a starting role with Bryce Miller ailing, we’ll have to hope he can find some consistency out on the mound.
My question for the day has nothing to do with the Mariners, but I want to know: has a favorite musical artist of yours ever released a complete brick of an album? They say some albums are “no-skips” but I’m asking for one from an artist you like that was nothing but skips. For me, I’d have to go with Don’t Click Play by Ava Max. I should have listened to her.
In Mariners news…
Shannon Drayer wrote about young standout Brennen Davis, who is making the most of his opportunities with several regulars away from camp for the WBC.
Jenny Catlin at The Athletic provided a complete watch guide for the M’s in 2026. ($)
In the World Baseball Classic…
Jordan Shusterman at Yahoo! Sports wrote about how awesome it is to see the Dominican Republic celebrate DR baseball in such a big way in this tournament.
A one-of-a-kind Aaron Judge card broke a modern day record by selling for $5.2 million. The previous record was held by a Mike Trout card that went for $3.936 million.
Anders’ picks…
Seattle Reign forward Jordyn Huitema has been traded to Chicago. Huitema, who had been with the squad since 2022, also happens to be Julio Rodríguez’s girlfriend.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Infielder, Kyle Karros, works on drills during spring training for the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 19, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images
From 2013 onward, third base for the Rockies had been synonymous with only two names: Nolan Arenado and then Ryan McMahon. Because of those two, Colorado has had a Gold Glove finalist at the hot corner each of the past 13seasons. It has been one of the most stable positions in the entire league.
This offseason there was uncertainty at the position for the first time in ages. The team seems intent to give Kyle Karros the opportunity to take the spot and see if he can run with it.
The (likely) starter
Karros had succeeded at every level of the minors on his journey up the organizational ladder despite middling scouting reports from most public evaluators. His first taste of the majors looked more like the player scouts had said he’d be — a good defender with a second division bat — instead of the player he’d performed as in the minors — a gold glover and MVP — but he came into the spring with a plan:
“I think going into this season, I know what I have works. I’ve seen it work at every level, so just being more convicted with that and staying true to myself each and every day.”
That restraint in avoiding overreaction to a little over a month’s worth of big league at-bats says some interesting things about Karros as a person. It may prove to be a mistake in the end, however, the early returns do seem promising. In a sample size even smaller than his struggles from last year, he has an OPS well over 1.000 so far this spring.
That high mark won’t continue over a full season even in the best-case scenario, but it has been enough to already make him the presumptive Opening Day starter at third base.
Given that opportunity, he’ll be able to continue showing off the aspect of his game that has never really been in question: his glove. Last year, Karros accumulated three Defensive Runs Saved and four Outs Above Average, which were tied for 19th and 9th among all third baseman despite him having played only 43 games.
That standout defense should give him a long leash should his offensive struggles resurface during the regular season.
The backups
The highest profile bat brought in this offseason, Willi Castro has had a close to league average wRC+ over the past three seasons (107 in ’23, 106 in ‘24, and then 92 last year). It’s his defensive versatility, however, that most makes him stand out.
Having made starts at almost every position on the field he provides plenty of options for Warren Schaeffer regardless of how the rest of the roster shakes out. He’ll be playing every day somewhere, and even if that’s not third, he’ll still sometimes be called upon to slide over when Karros needs a day off.
Ryan Ritter’s first taste of the majors was rough. He dealt with a finger injury that kept him out for roughly a month, and when he was on the field, he struggled to the tune of a 64 wRC+ and a 29.5% strikeout rate. Those both would have been bottom ten in the league if he had played enough to qualify.
Coming into camp, it was a reasonable question whether or not he’d make the Opening Day roster. So far he has hit well, and the coaching staff has been impressed by his work at third base and in left field. That extra flexibility gives him a real shot at sliding into a big league utility role.
In many ways Castro is a solid comp of what a good outcome for Ritter would look like — both are jack of all trades, master of none style players. Not being especially bad at any aspect of the game doesn’t make Castro a star, but it has allowed him to accrue 5.9 fWAR since the start of 2023.
If Ritter can become that type of player, he’ll be forcing his way into a starting role.
Depth options
Likely due to the lack of turnover at the position over the course of the past decade, the Rockies entered the offseason with very little in the way of realistic major league depth at third.
Tyler Freeman has played the position at times in the past and could do so again in a pinch but he’s never graded out particularly well over there. He’s an acceptable option if needed but they’d rather not need to use him in that role.
Likely as a response to this lack of depth, the front office brought in a couple of veterans on minor league deals this offseason in the form of Nicky Lopez and Vimael Machín. Neither is likely to make the roster but would be the first called upon to fill in should injuries change the current paradigm.
Lopez in particular has established a track record as a good fielder capable of playing any infield position as long as you know not to expect much out of him at the plate.
On the farm
Third base is usually one of the landing spots for a player with a good arm that moved off of shortstop because they didn’t have the range to cover the middle infield. As such, it’s hard to determine who will be play third in the majors solely by looking at where they play currently.
Below are the Rockies prospects most likely to end up at third by the time their minor league careers are over:
Ethan Hedges (No. 29 PuRP): A two-way player in college, the Rockies drafted Hedges in the third round last year. He grades well defensively but it remains to be seen if focusing solely on being a hitter can allow him to improve on a currently fringey offensive projection.
Ethan Holliday (No. 2 PuRP): Entering the system as the number four overall pick last summer, the youngest Holliday has a long way to go before it becomes clear exactly what type of player he’ll end up being. Currently a shortstop with immense power but strikeout concerns, if he ends up not being able to stick at short he is expected to be able to find a home at third.
Wilder Dalis (No. 24 PuRP): Coming off a couple good years between the DSL and ACL, Dalis made his debut in Low A during his age 18 season. He’s played primarily at third base but it remains to be seen if that’s where he ends up. Thus far in his minor league career the bat has impressed for someone without a notable signing bonus.
It’s also possible, but not likely, that Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) could be given another shot at third since the new front office doesn’t view him strictly as a first baseman.
Overall, this group has impact potential, but a lot of questions. Further, it will be a long time before those questions are able to be answered.
Closing thoughts
What you think about the Rockies third base situation almost entirely depends on what you think of Kyle Karros.
Do you buy into his minor league performance and hot spring? Well, then maybe by next year we’ll all be saying that the Rockies have the position locked down for the foreseeable future.
Do you think the scouting reports and his month of play in the bigs last year are more indicative of the player he’ll be long term? In that case, third base (unless Ryan Ritter happens to break out) is in for a transitional period that may well last a couple full years.
SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 12: Jack Leiter #22 of the Texas Rangers pitches during the game between the Athletics and the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Sydni Griffin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
DRAMMEN, Norway (AP) — Norwegian cross-country skiing star Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo said Friday he sustained a concussion from a fall in a World Cup race a day earlier but that he was “all good in the hood."
Klaebo posted a photo of himself giving a thumbs-up from a hospital bed, and he included audio of the Bee Gees disco hit “Stayin’ Alive.”
“Took a fall yesterday and hit my head pretty hard, but luckily everything is all good in the hood,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Ended up with a concussion so I'll take some days off from both training and the internet just to make sure everything settles properly. Only got one head, so have to take good care of it.”
Klaebo, who last month set a record for most gold medals (six) won at a single Winter Olympics, also thanked “everyone who reached out and checked in.”
Klaebo's status for the World Cup finals next week in Lake Placid, New York, was unclear.
Thursday's crash happened in a semifinal heat of the men’s sprint competition in Drammen. Ogden lost his balance and fell across the skis of Klaebo, who fell backward and hit his head on the snow.
Klaebo’s 11 career gold medals is also a Winter Olympics record.
On Friday, the National Hockey League announced that the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators will battle for two games in Düsseldorf, Germany, as a part of the NHL’s Global Series.
The games will take place on December 18th and 20th, 2026. These will be the first NHL games played in Germany in over 15 years and will begin a run of at least three consecutive years for the league there.
There is a new initiative to continue growing the game in Germany, which has become one of the fastest-growing hockey nations over the last decade.
“Our deepened commitment to Germany as an important hockey country marks a critical next chapter for the NHL,” said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daley. “By further investing in one of Europe’s most dynamic sports markets – both through the execution of major events and the development and implementation of grassroots initiatives – we intend to strengthen our presence and build stronger connections with German fans, partners, and local communities. In prioritizing our efforts here, we hope to accelerate hockey’s growth across the region, creating meaningful impact from the ground up.”
For a while, the Blackhawks had Lukas Reichel, who was a highly drafted German prospect. He is with the Boston Bruins now, but his time in Chicago helped make the Hawks a popular team in his homeland.
Their opponent in this event, the Ottawa Senators, has Tim Stutzle, one of the greatest German players of all time, and he’s still very young. He will play a key role in promoting this year’s Global Series.
Across the NHL, superstars like Leon Draisaitl and Moritz Seider have helped put German hockey on the map, driving the game's growth in their home country through their exceptional play.
For Draisaitl specifically, he is one of the most decorated German athletes of all time, so you can expect the Edmonton Oilers to be a big part of this three-year project.
German hockey fans will also have the opportunity to see other NHL stars like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Jake Sanderson, and Brady Tkachuk. A new wave of German hockey players will see these elite players up close, enhancing their interest in the game.
The NHL will continue to support long‑term hockey development and participation throughout Europe through grassroots programs and community initiatives. This will be the 13th season and the 5th consecutive in which NHL games are played in Europe.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors have lost three straight games, but one Western Conference squad will get back on track with a victory at Chase Center.
Anthony Edwards is one of the NBA’s most effective scorers on the road, and my Timberwolves vs. Warriors predictions expect him to rack up points in the Bay.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Western Conference showdown on Friday, March 13.
Timberwolves vs Warriors prediction
Timberwolves vs Warriors best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 29.5 points (-112)
Anthony Edwards has taken his scoring to the next level, and his offensive prowess will be on full display tonight. Ant-Man is averaging 27.2 points per game at home and 31.8 on the road. He's scored 30+ in 31 of 56 games, including 19 of 27 away games.
Edwards dropped 32 in his first meeting with the Golden State Warriors, and he should have no problem getting 30 again. The Warriors lack size and physicality to throw at Edwards, and with Moses Moody out and De’Anthony Melton banged up, he could find some breathing room on the perimeter.
Timberwolves vs Warriors same-game parlay
Neither team has played great basketball as of late, but the Minnesota Timberwolves have a deeper bench and healthier roster than the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are just 2-6 ATS as the home underdog, and I'll take the visiting team and the points.
The Dubs have hit the Over in 21 of 33 games at home, and the Wolves have gone Over in 20 of 32 on the road. Minnesota ranks ninth in pace, and Golden State ranks 16th. This matchup should feature plenty of shots, and I'll take the Over on a total line that's set advantageously low.
Timberwolves vs Warriors SGP
Anthony Edwards Over 29.5 points
Timberwolves -5.5
Over 224
Our "from downtown" SGP: Randle Stays Hot!
Julius Randle dropped 41 points in his last game before the All-Star break, but he's gone ice-cold in 10 games after the break. In that span, Randle has averaged 14.1 points and 0.5 triples while shooting 39.3% from the floor and 16.1% from beyond the arc.
The Warriors can play slump-buster tonight as Randle gets back on track against a depleted lineup without the size or perimeter defenders to slow him down. Prior to the break, Randle appeared in 27 road games, where he posted 18+ points in 21 appearances and multiple treys in 14.
The Golden State Warriors have hit the Game Total Over in 26 of their last 40 games at home (+10.60 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Warriors.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Warriors
Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Date
Friday, March 13, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime
Timberwolves vs Warriors latest injuries
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FT. MYERS, FL - MARCH 13: A general view as the sun rises during a Boston Red Sox spring training team workout on March 13, 2022 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning! The Red Sox did something yesterday they hadn’t done in a few weeks: they signed someone to the big league roster. Left-handed middle relief had been one of the weakest spots on the team — and given Danny Coulombe’s injury history and age, you could say it still is. But he undeniably fits a need.
So with Coulombe on board, is there anything else you’d like to the Sox to do with the roster before the season starts? Is there another free agent reliever or bench bat you’d like to see? Still hoping for a trade of one of the outfielders? Talk about roster needs and whatever else you want, and, as always, be good to one another.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Heston Kjerstad #13 of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a spring training game at Ed Smith Stadium on March 11, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Things are getting real, people. The Orioles’ 2026 season begins in just under two weeks, with a home opener against Minnesota on March 26th. The spring has had its fun and games, but it’s nearing time to make final roster cuts. With that, let’s summarize what we’ve learned, with an eye to roster decisions.
Some position groups remain more open-ended than others. Take the starters, for instance. Often a category that’s slim pickings for the Orioles, of late, the front office has opted for starter quantity, if not to say over quality. The list of projected locks to make the rotation stands at five: Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, and Dean Kremer, all of whom have looked strong this spring.
You might have had Zach Eflin, signed to a one-year free agent deal in November, on that list, but according to MASN’s Roch Kubatko, Eflin is getting more time to build up his innings before the joining the active roster. That’s fine; with the righty fresh off back surgery last season and memories of copious pitching injuries last season still vivid, it’s OK to let Eflin work his way back to the rotation.
The only question marks here appear to be Cade Povich, and whether the O’s will go with a six-man, or a five-man outfit. The rookie is having a nice spring, with a 1.59 ERA in 5.2 innings tossed so far, and he’ll get one more start against Philadelphia in Clearwater, but odds are he’ll be in the bullpen or start the season in Norfolk. As for the five- or six-man question, the skipper is keeping mum so far, but keeps saying that a surfeit of resources is a “nice problem to have.”
The Orioles bullpen looks like its usual hodgepodge of random names. The locks appear to be closer Ryan Helsley, Yennier Cano, Tyler Wells, Keegan Akin, Rico Garcia, Grant Wolfram, and maybe Yaramil Hiraldo. It’s weird that the last three are now sort-of veterans on the team, but all have been spotless so far this spring, and are benefiting from the temporary absence of Andrew Kittredge, out with shoulder inflammation. Who else? Lefty Dietrich Enns has a lousy 18.90 ERA so far, but at least he’s continuing to strike guys out (6 in 3.1 spring IP), so after his revelatory 2025, it looks like he’ll be on the list, too.
That leaves, on the outside looking in, Jose Espada, Jackson Kowar, Cameron Foster, Anthony Nunez, and Albert Suárez. Shoulder troubles married Suárez’s 2025 season, and in three spring training tries he’s laid an egg once, allowing seven runs to the Cards, but with his long track record, expect him to be a part of the bullpen picture going forward. José Espada, 29, a journeyman now playing for Team Puerto Rico in the WBC, remains interesting after three scoreless innings this spring. Jackson Kowar, acquired from the Twins for cash in February, could end up a roster crunch as he doesn’t have any options remaining. Newcomers Cameron Foster and Anthony Nunez were optioned on Sunday, but it looks like they will be considerations, too.
Turning to the infield, there’s not much to say at catcher. Maverick Handley and Sam Huff will serve as depth, unless a need arises behind Samuel Basallo or Adley Rutschman (it’d better not).
Beyond the backstop, things get interesting. If we plan on six infielders, it seems clear that the list will include at least Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Coby Mayo, Ryan Mountcastle, and Blaze Alexander. That’s five. Injuries to second baseman Jackson Holliday and third baseman Jordan Westburg have opened up spots for Mountcastle and Mayo, the latter—who knew!—at third. And while Mayo isn’t likely to win a Gold Glove at the hot corner, the bat looks good (.500 BA in 26 spring AB’s), so he’ll keep the spot warm until Westburg gets back.
That’s one more infield spot left for a rando (excuse my language). Under consideration, we have Jeremiah Jackson, Thairo Estrada, Luis Vázquez, Bryan Ramos, Willy Vasquez, José Barrero, and Weston Wilson. Jackson, who has played some right field, would seem to have the edge as a utility guy who can back up in the outfield (same for Alexander). Luiz Vázquez, off playing for Team Puerto Rico, isn’t on the 40-man, but he did a nice job in the field in 21 games last season.
Lastly, the outfield. With five spots to fill, the lineup seems set here: Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill, Taylor Ward, and Leody Taveras. Beavers and Cowser remain exciting youngsters worthy of playing time; Ward and O’Neill have contracts, and Taveras, 27, has positional versatility in his 11th (wow!) professional season.
That seems to leave no room for Heston Kjerstad, Enrique Bradfield Jr, or Jhonkensy Noel. Not a surprise for Bradfield, who just reached Triple-A at the end of last season and didn’t hit much in spring training (1-for-9). Noel, 24, had a nice spring (.375 BA and .882 OPS in 16 AB’s), but the O’s can use more time to check out what the former Cleveland farmhand brings to the table. As for a finally healthy-seeming Kjerstad, he finally showed us his big-boy bat, with an .823 OPS and four extra-base hits in 30 AB’s. I’m thrilled for him, but he’ll likely start in Norfolk and get the chance to hit his way back to the majors.
That should do it. Really, surveying the state of things, what we’re talking about are less roster battles than roster crunches. How will Albernaz mix-and-match six or seven potential starters? Will guys like Cade Povich, Tyler Wells, and Albert Suárez serve as long men or more orthodox relievers? Will lesser-known names like José Espada and Jhonkensy Noel get playing time? More is merrier, it seems, when it comes to roster design. Hopefully this plays out well this season.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Daniel Vazquez #98 of the Kansas City Royals slides into home plate to score against Freddy Fermin #54 of the San Diego Padres in the fifth inning during a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 12, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
German Marquez and JP Sears were squarely in the mix in the competition to decide the fifth spot in the starting rotation for the San Diego Padres. Their respective candidacies took a hit in San Diego’s 10-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals at the Peoria Sports Complex on Thursday. Marquez had easily his worst outing of the spring and that was in large part due to his lack of command. Marquez finished his outing after 1.2 innings pitched. He allowed six earned runs on four hits with four walks and a strikeout. Sears fared a little better considering he pitched four innings, but he allowed three runs on five hits with six strikeouts. The plus for Sears is that he kept the ball in the yard and he did not allow a walk. The Padres offense was held in check throughout the game and managed just five hits. The lone run scored for San Diego came on the strength of a Ramon Laureano home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Padres will look to have a better outing when they take on the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz. today at 1:05 p.m.
Padres News:
Padres manager Craig Stammen announced on Thursday that reliever Bryan Hoeing will have surgery on his elbow and will miss the 2026 season. On a positive note, starter Matt Waldron faced hitters in live at-bats and seems to be ramping up to make his return.
The Friar Faithful have not seen him pitch for their beloved Padres, but we have been told Griffin Canning could prove to be a formidable back-end starter when he his cleared to play. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune made Canning the focus of his Padres roster review.
Zack Wheeler continues to work back to a return to the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies. He threw his first live batting practice since his injury on Thursday.
Quinn Priester, starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, will begin the season on the IL. The team is hoping his return will be sooner than later if he can avoid surgery.
The New Orleans Pelicans hit the road tonight to take on Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. The tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Houston has been stellar at home, and my Pelicans vs. Rockets predictions are looking for them to deliver another victory.
The Houston Rockets are one of the top teams in the Western Conference with a 40-25 record, which puts them in fourth place. This is a very good team, and it’s clear they thrive at the Toyota Center.
The Rockets own a 22-8 home record, and they beat the New Orleans Pelicans in H-Town by nine points in January. In fact, they’ve covered tonight’s spread in five of their last six meetings with New Orleans.
Also, Houston’s last two wins comfortably covered this spread, and the Pelicans are an atrocious 9-24 SU on the road. I expect the Rockets to grab a convincing victory.
Pelicans vs Rockets same-game parlay
Across two meetings, Kevin Durant averaged 25 points per contest, and after a cold night with just 11 points on Wednesday, you better believe Durant will respond after a recent tough stretch.
Jabari Smith Jr has hit the Over in two of his last three outings, and with Alperen Sengun potentially out tonight due to lower back pain, that could open up more touches.
Pelicans vs Rockets SGP
Rockets -7
Kevin Durant Over 25.5 points
Jabari Smith Jr. Over 15.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Amen!
Amen Thompson has hit the Over in dimes in three of his last four appearances.
Pelicans vs Rockets SGP
Rockets -7
Kevin Durant Over 25.5 points
Jabari Smith Jr. Over 15.5 points
Amen Thompson Over 5.5 assists
Pelicans vs Rockets odds
Spread: Pelicans +7 (-110) | Rockets -7 (-110)
Moneyline: Pelicans +230 | Rockets -280
Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 227 (-110)
Pelicans vs Rockets betting trend to know
The Houston Rockets have hit the Game Total Under in 25 of their last 35 games (+14.00 Units / 36% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Rockets.
How to watch Pelicans vs Rockets
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Friday, March 13, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
SCHN, GCSEN
Pelicans vs Rockets latest injuries
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MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives the ball against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Kaseya Center on March 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With Kevin Porter Jr. back, the Milwaukee Bucks put up one heck of a fight against the Miami Heat—who, granted, were down Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, and Norman Powell—but couldn’t make the most of their possessions late, losing 112-105. Miami has now taken the season series 2-1. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.
Turner had very little impact on either end, with five of his seven points coming by halftime. Played just 6:39 in the second half, probably because he got blown by a fair few times. Maybe they should keep him closer to the basket…
Giannis was solid for most of the game; he kept the team afloat in the first quarter, scoring the team’s first 10 points. His athleticism and talent were massive throughout the game, and he roasted most non-Bam matchups. That said, GA’s defence was subpar yet again. Plus, taking a triple down just three with less than a minute left on a no-pass possession with 17 seconds on the shot clock… yeah, we’ve seen that movie before. Giannis talks an awful lot about “wanting to win,” but is that really true? Or is it more like, “I want to win on my terms”? I’ll say this: I’d better not hear another peep from GA accusing his teammates of playing selfishly.
A solid game from Ryan, particularly because of the 10 assists and only three turnovers. He came off the bench in this one amid recent struggles and despite a rough start, played well throughout. Rollins also set some great inverted screens for Giannis late in the game, which I don’t recall him having done much of this season.
A down game for Kuz, who never really got a rhythm until midway through the fourth when he scored all five of his points. He was, however, one of the main guys on the bench cheering his teammates on, which doesn’t go unnoticed. I’ve appreciated Kuz’s attitude this year as a senior leader on this team.
Grade: C-
AJ Green
15 minutes, 3 points, 1/2 FG, 1/2 3P, +5
Woof! Like Myles Turner, I think the minute total tells the story for AJ. At least he wasn’t just shot-chucking?
Grade: D
Ousmane Dieng
14 minutes, 0 points, 0/2 FG, -24
Dieng went out sick after playing just 14 minutes. Not much you can judge from.
The Heat really had nobody to guard Bobby, often trying wings and guards, but he got buckets on anyone and everyone. I thought Portis fared OK defensively as well. Some of the matchups suited him well because of Miami’s many questionable shooters, which allowed him to give himself a cushion and keep them in front.
Grade: A-
Cam Thomas
16 minutes, 3 points, 1/3 FG, +1
Freaking yikes. I am now questioning whether Cam Thomas is even an NBA player. I think he is, but the fact that I’m asking the question is alarming. In the 10 games since the loss to the Raptors, CT is averaging 9.1 points and 2.3 assists while shooting 38.2% from the field and 26.9% from three (in just 16.2 minutes per contest). He made no impact in this game, but like AJ, it’s at least good that he hasn’t been forcing it.
Another solid game from Jericho. He’s just doing more of the same: setting good screens, being composed with the ball, and showcasing his elite switchability. Again, Sims played down the stretch last night because of these qualities, including an awesome and-one to bring the Bucks within two.
I’d say this was a classic Porter game (in his return after a while off, it should be noted). He did a lot of good stuff, and I don’t think the Bucks are in this game without him; his defence, passing, and rebounding were key. That said, there was also your classic KPJ bad stuff: trying to do too much, failing to shoot it off the catch when he was open. In particular, he had one costly turnoverlate.
Grade: C+
Taurean Prince
14 minutes, 8 points, 3/6 FG, 2/3 3P, +10
Prince finally got some shots to go after missing all four of his attempts against the Suns. For the most part, I thought TP was helpful out there as a guy who stretched the floor. However, there were a few of his classic “you’re doing too much” plays where he got overly adventurous as a driver.
Grade: C+
Doc Rivers
I thought Doc coached an OK game. There were still some head-scratching possessions in defensive transition—which, to be fair, might not even be coaching-related—but otherwise it wasn’t too bad. Rollins looked better coming off the bench (while still playing heaps of minutes and closing the game). AJ Green and Cam Thomas playing around 15 minutes seems right. Not sure Prince should be getting much more than 10 minutes at this stage, but maybe they needed a wing-sized guy with Dieng sick and Kuz not having it. From an offensive POV, I thought they were mostly solid, just couldn’t execute late, which, as we know, has as much to do with the best player as the coach. Now, if that coach might actually, I don’t know, coach said best player…
Grade: B-
DNP-CD: Gary Harris, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Pete Nance, Gary Trent Jr.
Inactive: Alex Antetokounmpo, Cormac Ryan, Andre Jackson Jr.
Bonus Bucks Bits
Giannis had a long quote about the thought process behind shooting a three with less than a minute left, but essentially it boiled down to, “I always shoot with confidence, but I wish I’d shot a few more threes earlier in the game so I had a better feel of it on that last shot. I never regret being aggressive.” Whatever, it’s a case of “old dog new tricks” for me at this point; I’m done reasoning with it.
Doc on the end of the game:
“We didn’t execute great down the stretch, bottom line. I loved how we played overall. We went with the jumbo lineup, and it got us back in the game. But man, we had two or three turnovers in that stretch, a couple of tough shots. We’ve been really good overall at the end of the game. I just thought tonight we didn’t execute down the street.”
Following his record-setting 83-point game against the Wizards, Bam Adebayo largely struggled last night, shooting 6/20 for 21 points. Many were critical of Eric Spoelstra for leaving Adebayo in the game in a blowout to get the record. Spoelstra responded to those critics in his pregame adress, saying, “I apologise to absolutely no one, period.”
As Kyle pointed out in the rapid recap, Milwaukee’s bench scored 56 points, outscoring all non-Giannis starters combined. Relatedly, the Bucks starters all had a negative plus-minus, while the entire bench was in the positive.
Up Next
The Bucks’ road trip continues tomorrow afternoon when they face the Hawks. Catch the game at 2:00 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks signs autographs after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 12, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (22–43, 14–19 Home) snapped a nine-game skid Thursday night in Memphis, which is either great news for the locker room or terrible news for the lottery odds, depending on how you look at it. Khris Middleton—a man who is emphatically not part of the long-term plan, whether he returns next season or not—went for 35 points in a game Dallas probably could have afforded to lose. The Cleveland Cavaliers (40–26, 18–14 Away) arrive tonight having blown a 128-122 decision to Orlando two nights ago, and they are not here to exchange pleasantries. Dallas gets to enjoy approximately twelve hours of one game-winning streak energy before reality walks through the door.
Let’s scan the lines in search of value.
🏀 Fixture: Cleveland Cavaliers (40–26, 18–14 Away) @ Dallas Mavericks (22–43, 14–19 Home) 📍 American Airlines Center — Dallas, TX 🕢 6:30 PM CST, March 13, 2026 📺 Prime Video / NBA App
📊 DraftKings Snapshot (as of 12:52 AM CST) Spread: CLE –12.5 (–105) | DAL +12.5 (–115) Total: 235.5 (O –115/ U –105) Moneyline: CLE –625 | DAL +455
📉 Game Side Lean: Cavaliers –12.5
Cleveland just watched Desmond Bane hit a three with 17 seconds left to rip a win away in Orlando. They’ve had two days to think about it. Now they’re in Dallas facing a team playing its second game in two nights. The Cavaliers have Donovan Mitchell and a freshly acquired James Harden—who went for 30 points and 8 assists against Orlando—and they are going to take this personally. Dallas has heart. Dallas does not have the horses for this spot. Twelve and a half is a big number, but the back-to-back context and Cleveland’s motivation make it the right side.
🔮 Total Lean: Under 235.5
Two tired teams, one of them playing on zero rest. Dallas just won the winnable game out of the two available in the back-to-back, and it required a turn-back-the-clock performance from Middleton to do it. Cleveland’s defense—even shorthanded without Allen and Strus—is built to grind. Neither team is likely to be pushing the pace in the fourth quarter. The math points under, and the legs point under harder.
🎯 Player Props We Like
Cooper Flagg Over 19.5 Points (–107) Five games back from injury and Flagg hasn’t cracked 20 yet—13, 14, 17, 16, 18, all in a row like a slow engine turning over. Tonight feels like the ignition. Cleveland’s defense is disciplined enough to clamp Middleton, neutralize Naji Marshall, and dare the rookie to beat them. He will take that dare. With 33 minutes logged last night and usage that hasn’t dipped since his return, Flagg is the only offensive option on this roster that Cleveland can’t simply ignore. His season average sits at 20.1 points. The rust is gone. This is the spot.
Evan Mobley Over 17.5 Points (–120) Mobley has gone over this number in four of his last six games, averaging 18.4 points in March on 55.4% shooting. With Jarrett Allen out, he is the fulcrum of Cleveland’s frontcourt—and Dallas has no credible answer for his length and range. Gafford is a capable defender, but Mobley’s ability to operate from the mid-range and get to the line creates mismatches that Cleveland will exploit all night. An angry Cavaliers team leaning on their most efficient scorer is not a complicated equation.
💡 Summary: Cavaliers –12.5 and the under in a back-to-back spot where Dallas’s legs will be the story by the fourth quarter. On the props, we’re backing Flagg to finally crack 20 and Mobley to feast against a frontcourt that can’t match his versatility. Somewhere, a Tankathon spreadsheet just got very nervous.
