Warriors vs. Timberwolves injury report: Moses Moody, Draymond Green out

Moses moody and Draymond Green walking off the court next to each other.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 5: Draymond Green #23 and Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 5, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

After two very disappointing losses on Monday and Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors are back in action tonight, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves. It won’t be as disappointing if they lose this game, given how good the Wolves are, but … well … it sure would be nice if they won.

Unfortunately, they’re once again at a health disadvantage. Here’s the full injury report for both teams.

Warriors

Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)

Another week, another Curry injury update that pushes his return further down the road. We’re not far from starting to question whether he’ll be back this season at all.

Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery)

Well, I’m not exactly breaking any news here, am I?

Out — Moses Moody (right wrist sprain)

This is Moody’s fifth consecutive missed game. He does seem to be nearing a return, though. The Warriors begin a six-game road trip on Sunday, and the expectation is that Moody will return at some point during that trip.

Out — Draymond Green (left low back injury management)

Green is technically still listed as questionable on the official injury report, but the Warriors just announced he won’t play. That’s a big blow to the team.

Timberwolves

Out — Joan Beringer (on G League assignment)

That’s it. That’s the entirety of the injury report. Technically they list Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu as available (as the Warriors did with De’Anthony Melton and Quinten Post), but that’s not really an injury is it? The Dubs are limping, and facing a very healthy team. We’ll see how that works out for them.

Enjoy the game, Dub Nation. It kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT on Prime Video.

Wells' walk-off homer gives Dominicans 10-0 rout-rule win over South Korea, WBC semifinal berth

MIAMI (AP) — Austin Wells hit a walk-off three-run homer in the seventh inning that ended the game under a tournament rout rule, and the Dominican Republic beat South Korea 10-0 Friday night to reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals.

Seeking its second title and first since 2013, the Dominicans play the United States or Canada in a semifinal on Sunday in Miami and will start Luis Severino. The Dominicans are 5-0 in the tournament, have outscored opponents 51-10 while batting .312 and with 14 homers tied the WBC record set by Mexico in 2009.

Fernando Tatis Jr. drove in two runs and has 11 RBIs in the tournament. He is tied for third in a single WBC, trailing only Masataka Yoshida’s 13 for Japan in 2023 and Wladimir Balentien’s 12 for the Netherlands in 2017.

Wells, who entered as a defensive replacement in the top of the seventh, reached down and drove a first-pitch cutter from Hyeong Jun So off the front of the second deck in right. Wells was born in Arizona to a mother is of Dominican descent.

He hit the Dominicans' second walk-off homer of the tournament after Juan Soto's drive that ended a 12-1 group stage win over the Netherlands.

Backed by three runs in the second inning and four in the third, winner Christopher Sánchez struck out eight in five innings of two-hit ball.

South Korea, which lost a semifinal in 2006 and the final in 2009, had been eliminated in the first round three straight times before reaching a quarterfinal this year. The South Koreans had two hits, batted .222 and finished with a 5.91 ERA.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walked against loser Hyun Jin Ryu and scored the game's first run from first base with a head-first slide on Junior Caminero’s double into the left-field corner. Julio Rodríguez followed with an RBI groundout and Tatis had a run-scoring single.

Soto scored on Guerrero’s double in a four-run fourth, hooking an arm around catcher Dong Won Park with a head-first slide.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Grapefruit Juice: Mets 8, Nationals 3, Marlins 1, Mets 0

Mar 1, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) pitches against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The split squads were in effect today, with the Mets hosting the Marlins at Clover Park and the team traveling to the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches to take on the Nationals.

Home Game: Marlins 1, Mets 0

  • Kodai Senga looked excellent over three innings of work, striking out five and allowing no hits or walks. His velocity was hitting 98 and his ghost fork was diving, both wonderful signs for the oft-injured righty.
  • Devin Williams pitched a scoreless fourth inning, working himself out of trouble after striking out the first two batters he faced. Back to back singles put men on the corners, but he was able to induce a weak ground out to end the frame.
  • Bo Bichette came to bat thrice, striking out once and grounding into two double plays. Woof.
  • The sole run crossed the plate in the seventh, when Christopher Morel singled in Connor Norby. This would be the only run charged to Clay Holmes, who looked excellent in five innings of work, allowing two hits, no walks, and six strikeouts in his first post-WBC appearance.

Away Game: Mets 8, Nationals 3

  • The Mets jumped on the board in the top of the first when Ronny Mauricio doubled in Brett Baty, giving the Mets a 1-0 lead.
  • Carl Edwards Jr. started for the away Mets, and looked really good in his four innings of work, striking out four and allowing just one baserunner on a walk to Nasim Nuñez.
  • The Mets extended their lead by a run when Carson Benge drove in A.J. Ewing with the second run in the fifth.
  • Bryan Hudson entered the game in the bottom of the fifth, giving up a single to Dylan Crews, a walk to José Tena, and a double to Nuñez on the first three batters to face him, leading to a run. A sacrifice fly by Yohandy Morales tied the game.
  • Joe Jacques gave up a third run on a Crews sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
  • The Mets retook the lead in the eighth when Nick Roselli cleared the bases on a three-run double, putting the Mets up 5-3.
  • A flurry of Met prospects that you probably haven’t heard of (Ronald Hernandez! Diego Mosquera! Nick Lorusso!) added on in the top of the ninth, putting the Mets up 8-3.

The Mets play away tomorrow against the Astros at 6:05pm.

Dodgers at Mariners game chat

Mar 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Landon Knack against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Dodgers take on the Mariners Friday night at Peoria Stadium. Landon Knack makes his fourth spring start for the Dodgers. Cade Anderson takes the ball for Seattle.


FRIDAY GAME INFO

  • Teams: Dodgers at Mariners
  • Ballpark: Peoria Stadium
  • Time: 6:10 p.m. PST
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: KIRO 710 AM (Mariners broadcast)

Luka Doncic, LeBron James headline Lakers Girl Dad Night

Lakers stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James

On a night established to celebrate fathers and daughters, it was only fitting that two Lakers stars stole the show.

A sellout crowd of nearly 19,000 fans all received hats as the Lakers hosted their third annual “Girl Dad Night,” a celebration of girls in sports and the fathers who champion them. 

A black baseball cap with white stitching on the brim, featuring a white “L” logo and “GIRL DAD NIGHT” in yellow and white text, on a black surface.
Luka Dončić coloring with daughter.
LeBron James holding hands with his daughter Zhuri, both looking forward.

Luka Doncic, father to 2-year-old Gabriela and newborn Olivia, produced the finest scoring performance of his young Lakers tenure, exploding for 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers’ 142-130 victory over the Bulls. 

LeBron James, who returned to the lineup after missing the last three games, quietly stitched together another vintage all-around performance — 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block. A little over a week after bringing his daughter, Zhuri, with him on the road to San Francisco, James spent Thursday reflecting on fatherhood and the responsibility that comes with raising a daughter in a world constantly watching.

“The way I treat her mother. The love that I have inside the family. The accountability,” James said when asked what the most important lesson he taught his daughter is. “One of the best compliments Savannah and I get is when people say our kids are well-mannered and great kids. That’s the greatest compliment we can get.”

James smiled when asked about the title that filled the arena.

“I love girl dads. It’s pretty cool, and I’m happy to be one,” he said, admitting his daughter “definitely softened me up a lot.”

Kobe Bryant smiling and making a peace sign, sitting between his two daughters who are also smiling, in a stadium audience.

The Lakers launched Girl Dad Night in March 2024 during Women’s History Month as a tribute to Kobe Bryant and former owner Jerry Buss, two of the most famous girl dads in franchise history. Bryant’s love for his daughters — and especially for Gianna’s basketball dreams — helped reshape how sports culture celebrates girls and the fathers who lift them up.

Thursday’s game felt like an extension of that legacy.


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Fathers and daughters were spotlighted throughout the night. In-game host Ray A. Castillo shared the spotlight with his daughters, Alexis and Hayley. The national anthem was performed by father-daughter duo Matt and Savanna, and the Laker Girls even danced at halftime alongside their dads.

Two men and two Laker Girls stand on a basketball court.

Weeks earlier, the Lakers welcomed father-daughter pairs from local nonprofit organizations to their training facility for a basketball clinic and empowerment workshop — surprising them with tickets to Thursday’s game.

Below are many of the photos of the Lakers girl dads. 

Ducks’ Gudas Suspended 5 Games For Hit On Auston Matthews

Ducks captain Radko Gudas has been suspended for five games for his knee-to-knee hit on Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews during the second period of Thursday’s game. Gudas was assessed a five-minute major penalty for kneeing and given a game misconduct. Matthews left the game and did not return.

On Friday, the Leafs announced that Matthews sustained a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion. Though he will be re-evaluated in two weeks, he will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season.

Mar 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) leaves the ice after being ejected from the game for a hit on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (not pictured) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) leaves the ice after being ejected from the game for a hit on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (not pictured) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

This hit comes just weeks after Gudas’ hit on Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby during the 2026 Winter Olympics, which resulted in a Grade 2 MCL sprain for Crosby. While Gudas’ hit on Crosby was fair and legal, his hit on Matthews was anything but.

This is the fifth time that Gudas has been suspended by the NHL and his first time since 2019, when he was suspended two games for high sticking the Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov.

Gudas has had two longer suspensions in his NHL career. He was suspended 10 games in 2017 for slashing the Winnipeg Jets’ Mathieu Perreault across the neck and suspended six games in 2016 for a late, high hit on the Boston Bruins’ Austin Czarnik.

Mar 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) gets set for a face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) gets set for a face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

A phone hearing between Gudas and the NHL Department Player of Safety was held on Friday. Phone hearings carry a maximum suspension of five games, whereas an in-person hearing would have allowed for a longer suspension.

Trade deadline acquisition John Carlson has been targeting Saturday versus the Ottawa Senators or Sunday versus the Montréal Canadiens for his Ducks debut. With Gudas out, Drew Helleson will likely remain in the lineup and Ian Moore, who lined up as a winger in Thursday’s game, will also likely return to the blue line for this weekend’s pair of games.

Trump, Kobe and an elevator fight: Ex-NBA star responds to legendary story

President Donald Trump has breathed new life into an old story – that he supposedly intervened during a fight between Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams, a 9-year NBA veteran, when Bryant and Williams were in New York for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game.

During an interview with Jake Paul published Friday, March 11, Trump said he broke up a fight involving “Kobe.’’

“Kobe was having a hard time with somebody and it worked out fine,’’ Trump said, although he did not mention Williams by name.

Charles Oakley, then a star power forward with the New York Knicks, was on the elevator when Williams, then with the New Jersey Nets, punched Bryant, according to "Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty" – a book by Jeff Pearlman, a New York Times-bestselling author.

The elevator was at the Grand Hyatt in New York, then owned by Trump, according to Pearlman’s book.

Oakley, during a phone interview with USA TODAY Sports, said he doesn’t remember being on the elevator during the reported incident but that he’s heard Williams tell the story of the fight.

“He had told it to some people that I was around,’’ Oakley said. “Jayson, he liked to be a story. He's a storyteller. I told him, 'Jayson, I mean, you 55, 57. You probably told that story 50 times.' ’’

Williams, 58, did not respond to a request for comment by email and did not answer a phone call from USA TODAY Sports. His voicemail box was full.

The altercation reportedly broke out after Bryant got into an elevator occupied by Williams and Oakley, Williams greeted Bryant and then took offense to Bryant's cold replay, according to Pearlman's book, which states that Williams lunged and punched Bryant in the cheek.

"Trump, of all people, grabbed Williams and told Bryant, 'Get out of here. Quickly.' ''

Bryant got off the elevator, according to Pearlman's book.

Bryant died in 2020 during a helicopter crash that also killed his daughter Gianna and seven other people.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump, Kobe Bryant and elevator fight: Charles Oakley responds

Mariners Spring Training 2026, Game #21

PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Infield coach Perry Hill #16 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a portrait at Peoria Sports Complex on February 19, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Kade Anderson Revolution will be televised. Tonight’s match-up against the Dodgers will be broadcast on SNLA, and it’s an evening game, so you might even get to watch it. Of course, it’s up against the WBC Quarterfinals, so maybe your attention will be divided.

The Mariners are mostly going with the B-Squad for tonight’s game, but I know my fellow Brock Rodden enjoyers will be excited about that. The headline is Kade Anderson’s third start of his pro career, and he’ll face a significant early test against the top of the Dodgers’ lineup. Our best understanding of who’ll follow Anderson is Dobnak, Ortiz, Ferrer, Vargas, and Zuñiga, but that’s not 100%

As for LA, I can’t say I’m super familiar with Landon Knack, but he’s already got two rings. His most prominent outings came in the 2024 postseason, where included four innings of Game 4 of the World Series. Here’s a fun fact: his first MLB strikeout came against Nick Senzel, who will man the keystone for Knack tonight.

Today’s game information:

Game time: 6:10 PT

TV: SNLA and MLB tv

Radio: Old Reliable

Spring Training game thread XXI – Diamondbacks at Royals

Eric Hosmer in a batting stance while practicing ahead of Home Run Derby X in 2025
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: Eric Hosmer takes batting practice prior to the MLB Home Run Derby X at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Amy Kontras/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The WBC Quarterfinals start tonight, including Team USA facing off against Team Canada. But if you can tear your eyes away from that, you can see the debut of Eric Hosmer on the Royals TV broadcast in Surprise, Arizona. It should be a good time. Here’s the lineup:

Speaking of team USA in the WBC, Michael Wacha will make his first appearance in Royals Spring Training since returning home from a successful relief appearance in pool play last week. This game will also allow us to get our first look at the newest Royal, Starling Marte, in right field, and watch Carter Jensen take a turn behind the plate while Salvy waits to try to lead Venezuela against Japan tomorrow.

After Wacha, the Royals plan to send Noah Cameron, Helcris Olivárez, and Shane Panzini to the mound. Beck Way and Chase Jesse will be in the bullpen, too, just in case. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Noah Cameron’s velocities and to see if Helcris Olivárez can continue to push for a bullpen spot.

World Baseball Classic rules explained: Eextra innings, pitch count, mercy rule

One of the most exciting parts of baseball is a game going into extra innings. In MLB games, extra innings can go on-and-on like an Erykah Badu song.

For a lengthy, six-month MLB season, extra innings are cool. An uncanny experience for baseball fans, especially those that witness the extended game live at a ballpark. MLB officially instituted the "ghost runner" for the 2023 regular season, but the rule placing a free runner on second base to start extra innings had been used since the 2020 COVID season.

The World Baseball Classic also adopted the rule, but it it will be used all the way through the tournament, whereas MLB reverts to traditional extra-inning rules in the postseason.

Understanding extra innings rule during WBC

The WBC comes with a separate set of rules including pitch count limits and mercy rule regulations.

The tournament also follows MLB's regular-season extra-inning rules, with a runner starting on second base beginning in the 10th inning.

The "ghost runner" in extra innings will be deployed all the way through the tournament, whereas MLB does not use the rule in the postseason.

Pitch clock rules during WBC

This is the first year that the WBC has introduced a pitch clock.

It mirrors the MLB pitch clock rule which if the bases are empty, pitchers have 15 seconds to throw to batters. And with at least one runner on base, pitchers have 18 seconds to send the ball across home plate.

Additionally, batters have to be ready and in the box with at least eight seconds on the clock.

Is there pitch count limit in the WBC?

Pitchers are capped at 65 pitches through the first round of the tournament. That number increases to 80 pitches for the quarter and semifinals, topping out at 95 pitches for the championship game.

Although limited at 95 pitches, pitchers can pass the mark if needed to complete a batter's plate appearance.

Pitchers who exceed the allotted pitch amount in one game will be forced to use ensuing days for rest, depending on how many pitches were thrown. If a pitcher throws 50 or more pitches, then he will sit for at least four days before he can pitch again. If the number is 30 or more, then a player has to rest for a day.

No matter the pitch count, pitchers who throw on consecutive days will be required to rest for a day before competing again.

What's the mercy rule for WBC?

There's a mercy rule during only the first and quarterfinal rounds.

The rule states that the game will after the 7th inning if a team leads by 10 or more runs. The game will conclude after the 5th inning if a team leads by 15 or more runs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Baseball Classic rules: Extra innings, pitch count, mercy rule for WBC

Contextualized Spring Training stats: the pitchers

Trevor McDonald reaching back to make a throw at Spring Training.

A few days ago, I took a microscope and a fine comb to some Cactus League stats for the San Francisco Giants hitters. Today it’s time to do the same thing, except for the pitchers.

The goal is simple: take data that’s already too small to be meaningful, and split it into even smaller, less meaningful segments. Because isn’t that fun?

More seriously, it’s to look at how the team’s pitchers have performed against different talent levels. To break that down, I’ve sorted every batter the Giants have faced this spring into four categories: MLB regulars (think Heliot Ramos); non-regulars who are on the 40-man roster (Luis Matos); non-roster invitees (Jared Oliva); and players from Minor League camp (Josuar González).

It’s at times an inexact science. Bryce Eldridge isn’t a regular, but he’s certainly a better hitter than many who are. But for the most part, it puts things into buckets so we can see how pitchers are performing against players they would see in a Major League game, versus players that they won’t. And it also shows us how they’re being deployed.

Additionally, I’ve looked at every ball put in play that the Giants pitchers have allowed, and tracked the exit velocities. I’ve included the data for both average exit velocity (the average of every ball in play), and EV50 (the average of the lowest 50% of that data set). For context, I’ve added what percentile that average EV would have been in 2025, and a ranking for the EV50 based on the 447 MLB pitchers with at least 100 batted balls in 2025, since percentiles aren’t available for that stat.

Well, dig in, folks. And nerd out. All of the data is through Thursday’s game.

Tristan Beck

vs. regulars: 11 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 triple, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 4 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 triple, 1 walk
vs. NRIs: 7 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 strikeout
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 4.2 innings, 6 hits, 1 home run, 2 triples, 3 walks, 1 hit batter, 3 strikeouts, 5.79 ERA, 7.70 FIP

Also: 1 runner caught stealing

Exit velocities(15 balls in play)
Avg EV: 92.3 (1st percentile)
EV50: 82.0 (434th out of 447)

It hasn’t been a good spring for Beck. He’s been struggling to miss bats, and hitters have been teeing off on his pitches, with seven of the 18 balls put in play against him hitting triple figures. He hasn’t pitched for the Giants that much, since he was in the WBC, but he certainly seems to be loosing ground on the rest of the swing man and middle relief competition. Luckily, he has an option remaining, which I hadn’t realized. So he seems ticketed for Sacramento.

Will Bednar

vs. regulars: n/a
vs. 40-mans: 1 batter faced
vs. NRIs: 8 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 walks
vs. MiLBs: 10 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts

Totals: 4 innings, 3 hits, 4 walks, 1 hit batter, 3 strikeouts, 2.25 ERA, 5.88 FIP

Also: 1 error

Exit velocities(11 balls in play)
Avg EV: 85.5 (99th percentile)
EV50: 74.2 (21st out of 447)

Bednar, who is an NRI (as well as the team’s first-round pick in 2021), was in the first group of camp cuts on Thursday. And it’s clear from this breakdown of his opponents that the Giants never viewed him as a candidate to earn an Opening Day role … he faced 19 batters, and only one of them was a rostered player. But It was certainly a valuable experience for the righty, and one that was in line with his 2025: very good things happened when batters swung at his pitches, but very bad things happened when they did not.

Hayden Birdsong

vs. regulars: 8 batters faced, 4 hits, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 5 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 home run, 1 walk
vs. NRIs: 5 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 walk
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 2.1 innings, 8 hits, 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts, 30.86 ERA, 16.91 FIP

Also: 1 runner caught stealing

Exit velocities(13 balls in play)
Avg EV: 92.2 (1st percentile)
EV50: 83.4 (446th out of 447)

There’s no need to dwell on Birdsong’s rough spring, especially given the news that came out on Thursday: he has a sore elbow. We’ll all hold our breaths. It’s been a disaster of a preseason for him, but nothing that he can’t turn around … if healthy.

Spencer Bivens

vs. regulars: 14 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 home run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 9 batters faced, 4 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: 2 batters faced, 1 strikeout

Totals: 6.2 innings, 9 hits, 1 home run, 3 walks, 7 strikeouts, 1.35 ERA, 4.83 FIP

Also: 3 stolen bases allowed

Exit velocities (21 balls in play)
Avg EV: 95.3 (worse than the highest mark of 93.2)
EV50: 80.1 (362nd out of 447)

It sneakily hasn’t been a very strong spring for Bivens. He’s done an excellent job limiting damage, but betters are absolutely spanking the ball when he throws it. He’s already given up six balls in excess of 106 mph, and he’s also had a fair amount of walks. But he’s proven, and valuable, and we know the team likes him, so I’d be surprised if he’s not on the Opening Day roster.

JT Brubaker

vs. regulars: 8 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 walks, 1 strikeout
vs. 40-mans: 7 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double
vs. MiLBs: 3 batters faced, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

Totals: 6 innings, 5 hits, 1 home run, 2 doubles, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts, 4.50 ERA, 6.46 FIP

Also: 1 runner caught stealing

Exit velocities(16 balls in play)
Avg EV: 91.0 (7th percentile)
EV50: 79.5 (305th out of 447)

Brubaker has also had a fairly mediocre spring, and has been hit especially hard by MLB regulars. He was somewhat surprisingly tendered a contract in arbitration this winter, and he can’t be feeling too comfortable about his job status as March 25 draws nearer.

José Buttó

vs. regulars: 6 batters faced, 1 hit
vs. 40-mans: 4 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double, 1 walk
vs. NRIs: 7 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 triple, 2 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 4 innings, 5 hits, 1 triple, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 2.25 ERA, 3.38 FIP

Also: 0-for-1 on ABS challenges

Exit velocities(14 balls in play)
Avg EV: 92.3 (1st percentile)
EV50: 83.0 (443rd out of 447)

We’re noticing an unfortunate theme here: the pitchers with “B” surnames are allowing a lot of hard contact, Bednar notwithstanding. But we’re dealing with very small sample sizes, and Buttó has been completely fine, especially against the best talent.

Michael Fulmer

vs. regulars: 2 batters faced, 1 strikeout
vs. 40-mans: 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 home run, 3 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 10 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 home run, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: 8 batters faced, 6 strikeouts

Totals: 8 innings, 2 hits, 2 home runs, 3 walks, 12 strikeouts, 2.25 ERA, 5.00 FIP

Also: 1 stolen base allowed

Exit velocities(14 balls in play)
Avg EV: 78.9 (better than the lowest mark of 84.1)
EV50: 63.8 (better than the lowest mark of 70.7)

What a funny spring Fulmer has had. He’s limited batters to comically low exit velocities, yet the only hits he’s allowed have been home runs. He’s thrown with fairly soft velocity, but earned a lot of strikeouts. The splits certainly paint a story of a player who should be in Sacramento this year, at least at the start. He hasn’t had all that much of an opportunity against MLB players, and has done the bulk of his damage against Minor Leaguers.

Matt Gage

vs. regulars: 9 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 7 batters faced, 1 hit, 4 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 2 batters faced, 1 strikeout
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 5 innings, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 6 strikeouts, 3.60 ERA, 3.43 FIP

Exit velocities(11 balls in play)
Avg EV: 93.5 (worse than the highest mark of 93.2)
EV50: 83.6 (446th out of 447)

Gage has benefitted from two things. First, in this article, he’s benefitted from the fact that the stats in San Francisco’s exhibition game against Team USA don’t count, since he not only got roughed up, but was roughed up by a group of Giants Minor Leaguers on loan to the American squad. Second and more importantly, he’s benefitted from the fact that Erik Miller, Reiver Sanmartin, and Sam Hentges also suffered injuries. Miller is still hoping to be ready by Opening Day, though that’s a big question mark, while Sanmartin and Hentges have already been ruled out. A pathway has opened for Gage to make the Opening Day roster, despite so-so results thus far.

Trent Harris

vs. regulars: 3 batters faced, 3 hits
vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
vs. NRIs: 10 batters faced, 4 hits, 2 home runs, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
vs. MiLBs: 4 batters faced, 2 strikeouts

Totals: 4.2 innings, 9 hits, 2 home runs, 1 double, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, 9.64 ERA, 8.77 FIP

Also: 1 stolen base allowed

Exit velocities(17 balls in play)
Avg EV: 93.2 (0th percentile)
EV50: 87.1 (worse than the highest mark of 84.1)

Harris’ first time in Major League camp went similarly to his 2025 season, in that he was excellent against the lowest-level talent he faced, and struggled against the higher-level talent. Last year, he mowed through AA, but ran into a wall in AAA, and that’s reflected in the splits above, where he retired all four Minor Leaguers he faced, with two strikeouts, while allowing 11 of the 19 other batters he faced to reach base, with just two more strikeouts. He was among the first group of camp cuts, and will head to AAA to work on some stuff — hopefully we can see the curveball a little more.

Adrian Houser

vs. regulars: 9 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 walk
vs. 40-mans: 1 batter faced, 1 hit, 1 double
vs. NRIs: n/a
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 2 innings, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 walk, 0 strikeouts, 4.50 ERA, 11.63 FIP

Exit velocities(9 balls in play)
Avg EV: 93.4 (worse than the highest mark of 93.2)
EV50: 85.9 (worse than the highest mark of 84.1)

The main takeaway from Houser’s spring is that he’s only officially pitched once (he also pitched against Team USA, which didn’t go all that well). We’re gonna see a lot of the young arms this year, methinks, though Houser is certainly in the rotation if healthy.

Caleb Kilian

vs. regulars: 9 batters faced, 5 hits, 1 double
vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: 1 batter faced, 1 strikeout

Totals: 6.1 innings, 6 hits, 1 double, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, 1.42 ERA, 2.20 FIP

Also: 1 runner caught stealing

Exit velocities(17 balls in play)
Avg EV: 84.3 (1st percentile)
EV50: 70.2 (better than the lowest mark of 70.7)

Kilian has, in many ways, been the pitching version of Victor Bericoto this spring. He’s been one of the best performers, but if you peel things back a little bit, it’s notable that he’s doing his best work against his worst competition. The sample sizes are tiny, but if you want to overanalyze, there’s an opportunity to do so. Still, he’s throwing gas, and making quite an impression. He very well could find himself on the Opening Day roster. He’s also been a bit of an all-or-nothing guy with exit velocities: six of the 17 balls put in play against him have been below 75 mph, while four have been hotter than 104.

Tyler Mahle

vs. regulars: 14 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double, 5 walks, 4 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 5 batters faced, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
vs. NRIs: 5 batters faced, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: 2 batters faced

Totals: 6 innings, 1 hit, 1 double, 7 walks, 7 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, 4.79 FIP

Also: 1 stolen base allowed

Exit velocities(12 balls in play)
Avg EV: 84.3 (1st percentile)
EV50: 71.7 (2nd out of 447)

26 batters faced, and only 12 balls in play. Mahle is living off of strikeouts, but dying due to walks. There shouldn’t have been any doubt that his stuff plays against top competition, but if there was … well, there isn’t anymore. As long as he can find the strike zone and stay healthy, he’ll be golden.

Nick Margevicius

vs. regulars: 3 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double
vs. 40-mans: 2 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double
vs. NRIs: 19 batters faced, 7 hits, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: 9 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 strikeout

Totals: 8 innings, 11 hits, 4 doubles, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 5.63 ERA, 3.25 FIP

Also: 2 runners caught stealing, 1 stolen base allowed

Exit velocities(29 balls in play)
Avg EV: 92.3 (1st percentile)
EV50: 82.0 (434th out of 447)

Margevicius, a non-roster invitee, is another player whose splits inform us less about his abilities, and more about the organization’s view of him. Despite being a 29-year old with MLB experience, it’s clear that the Giants view him as bullpen depth in AAA, given that he’s faced 33 batters, and only five of them have been rostered players.

Trevor McDonald

vs. regulars: 21 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 8 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 10 innings, 6 hits, 2 home runs, 1 double, 2 walks, 1 hit batter, 11 strikeouts, 1.80 ERA, 4.93 FIP

Also: 1 runner caught stealing

Exit velocities(24 balls in play)
Avg EV: 88.4 (73rd percentile)
EV50: 79.1 (277th out of 447)

McDonald has unequivocally been one of the stars of Spring Training, and things look even rosier when you account for competition. In 10 innings he’s yet to face a batter from Minor League camp, and more than half of his opponents have been MLB regulars, while his numbers have held — or arguably gotten better — against those players. He’s played himself into being the favorite not just for the first name called when the rotation needs a sixth arm, but also for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

Robbie Ray

vs. regulars: 13 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 12 batters faced, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 11 batters faced, 3 hits, 2 triples, 3 walks
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 9.2 innings, 4 hits, 2 triples, 8 walks, 1 hit batter, 7 strikeouts, 1.86 ERA, 4.97 FIP

Also: 1 runner picked off, 1 stolen base allowed

Exit velocities(20 balls in play)
Avg EV: 85.2 (99th percentile)
EV50: 69.1 (better than the lowest mark of 70.1)

Ray is the funny case of an established veteran who is performing much worse against lower competition. It certainly means nothing, but it’s funny, and I remember Wilmer Flores being the same last Spring: he was feasting against established Major Leaguers, and struggling mightily against Minor Leaguers and NRIs. Either way, the positive with Ray’s spring has been that he’s kept his exit velocities very much in check (though it’s a small enough sample size that a 24.9-mph bunt is skewing things a little). The negative is that he’s faced 36 batters and given a free base to nine of them.

Wilkin Ramos

vs. regulars: 5 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 double
vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run
vs. NRIs: 14 batters faced, 2 hits, 6 walks, 1 strikeout
vs. MiLBs: 7 batters faced, 4 hits, 1 strikeout

Totals: 5.1 innings, 10 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 6 walks, 2 strikeouts, 11.81 ERA, 8.69 FIP

Also: 1 runner caught stealing, 3 stolen bases allowed

Exit velocities(24 balls in play)
Avg EV: 90.7 (11th percentile)
EV50: 78.8 (262nd out of 447)

Ramos, who only recently turned 25 and was added to the system over the offseason, faced an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster, and it’s been evident why. He’s got some funk, but he’s really struggled to miss bats, and has allowed some loud contact (including two balls in excess of 113 mph). He’ll be a fun one to monitor in AAA this year.

Landen Roupp

vs. regulars: 11 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 5 batters faced, 2 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 6 innings, 2 hits, 1 double, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, 1.50 ERA, 2.63 FIP

Exit velocities(13 balls in play)
Avg EV: 87.4 (91st percentile)
EV50: 78.3 (223rd out of 447)

Roupp has looked good, and he’s done it without the competition being watered down at all. He certainly looks ready to resume his role as a mid-rotation starter. All good signs from him thus far.

Juan Sánchez

vs. regulars: 1 batter faced, 1 strikeout
vs. 40-mans: 3 batters faced
vs. NRIs: 12 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

Totals: 5.1 innings, 2 hits, 5 walks, 7 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, 3.81 FIP

Also: 3 stolen bases allowed

Exit velocities(10 balls in play)
Avg EV: 89.7 (38th percentile)
EV50: 79.7 (324th out of 447)

Given the injuries to Miller, Hentges, and Sanmartin, and Gage’s mediocrity, the door might have been open for Sánchez to earn an Opening Day role had he pitched a little closer to how he did during 2024 Spring Training, when he nearly walked away with a job. Then again, the Giants haven’t given him quite as much of an opportunity to win that role, with 18 of the 22 batters he’s faced being non-roster invitees and Minor League camp hitters. There’s a little issue with command at the moment, which isn’t surprising since he’s returning from Tommy John surgery. I fully expect him to play a big role in the bullpen at some point this year, though.

Reiver Sanmartin

vs. regulars: 2 batters faced
vs. 40-mans: 3 batters faced, 2 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 3 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 double
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 2 innings, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 strikeouts, 4.50 ERA, 8.13 FIP

Exit velocities(6 balls in play)
Avg EV: 81.8(better than the lowest mark of 84.1)
EV50: 67.8 (better than the lowest mark of 70.7)

Sanmartin was pitching well in a very small sample size against rostered players, but suffered a hip flexor injury in the WBC. He’s out until the summer, unfortunately.

Gregory Santos

vs. regulars: 2 batters faced, 1 walk
vs. 40-mans: 4 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 double, 1 walk
vs. NRIs: 4 batters faced, 1 strikeout
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 2 innings, 3 hits, 1 double, 2 walks, 1 strikeout, 0.00 ERA, 5.63 FIP

Exit velocities(7 balls in play)
Avg EV: 92.3 (1st percentile)
EV50: 84.0 (446th out of 447)

The raw numbers haven’t been notable for Santos, but he has looked both nasty and fearless, even against the best hitters. He’s regularly hitting 100 mph, and I’m not backing off my prediction that, despite being a non-roster invitee, he’s the best reliever on the team.

Carson Seymour

vs. regulars: 14 batters faced, 2 hits, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 13 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 13 batters faced, 4 hits, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 2 hit by pitches, 2 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: 1 batter faced

Totals: 9.1 innings, 8 hits, 4 doubles, 3 walks, 2 hit batters, 8 strikeouts, 3.86 ERA, 3.52 FIP

Also: 2 stolen bases allowed

Exit velocities(28 balls in play)
Avg EV: 86.8 (94th percentile)
EV50: 73.7 (13th out of 447)

Seymour has done well against all competition levels this spring, largely because he’s earned a ton of soft contact. Of the 28 balls in play that he’s allowed, a whopping 10 have been hit softer than 80 mph. That’s impressive, especially for a power pitcher. He hasn’t been as good as McDonald, so he probably doesn’t have a path to the Opening Day roster. But he might be next in line.

Blade Tidwell

vs. regulars: 10 batters faced, 4 hits, 1 triple, 1 double, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 triple, 1 walk
vs. NRIs: 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 4.2 innings, 7 hits, 2 triples, 1 double, 4 walks, 9 strikeouts, 11.57 ERA, 2.34 FIP

Also: 2 stolen bases allowed

Exit velocities(12 balls in play)
Avg EV: 91.9 (1st percentile)
EV50: 82.9 (442nd out of 447)

Like many players on this list, Tidwell’s spring performance has mirrored his 2025. He’s been dominant against NRIs, after having a 3.62 ERA in AAA last year. But he’s really struggled to put away Major League regulars, with six of the 10 that he’s faced reaching base (which is compounded by his showing against Team USA) … not a far cry from his MLB debut last year, which resulted in 15 earned runs in 15 innings pitched. He’s throwing gas, and he looks like the real deal. But he also doesn’t look nearly as ready as McDonald or Seymour.

Ryan Walker

vs. regulars: 6 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 double, 3 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 4 batters faced, 1 hit by pitch
vs. NRIs: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 4 innings, 4 hits, 1 double, 1 hit batter, 6 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, 1.38 FIP

Also: 1-for-1 on ABS challenges

Exit velocities(9 balls in play)
Avg EV: 93.0 (1st percentile)
EV50: 87.4 (worst than the highest mark of 84.1)

With Walker, we’re all just waiting to see how the regular season looks. So far, so good, in Spring Training. The bad exit velocities are too small of a sample to worry about (and it’s more the result of giving up consistently mid-level EVs, rather than lots of hard-hit balls), and he’s finding the zone, getting in good counts, putting hitters away, and avoiding walks. That’s what we’re all looking for.

Logan Webb

vs. regulars: 5 batters faced, 2 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 7 batters faced, 1 hit, 4 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 5 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 hit by pitch, 1 strikeout
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 5 innings, 2 hits, 1 hit batter, 7 strikeouts, 1.80 ERA, 1.43 FIP

Also: 1 stolen base allowed

Exit velocities(8 balls in play)
Avg EV: 82.3 (better than the lowest mark of 84.1)
EV50: 62.5 (better than the lowest mark of 70.1)

We haven’t gotten to see much of Webb, since he’s been with Team USA in the WBC. But he’s been everything we expect out of him: extremely soft contact, tremendous control, and even some of those strikeouts that he showed off in 2025. Add in his strong appearance against Brazil (he’s pitching again as we speak, so we’ll see how he does) and he looks ready for the season to start.

Carson Whisenhunt

vs. regulars: 15 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 double, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts
vs. 40-mans: 9 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 double, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
vs. NRIs: 5 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 double, 2 walks
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 5.2 innings, 7 hits, 3 doubles, 5 walks, 8 strikeouts, 14.29 ERA, 3.45 FIP

Also: 1 stolen base allowed

Exit velocities(16 balls in play)
Avg EV: 95.3 (worst than the highest mark of 93.2)
EV50: 85.8 (worst than the highest mark of 84.1)

The Giants have challenged Whisenhunt this spring, giving him primarily rostered hitters to face off against. His first two outings went fully sideways, but he was tremendous in his third showing. We’ll see how the fourth goes tonight. Whisenhunt has shown notably improved velocity with the fastball, and that’s resulted in more strikeouts than usual, which is great to see. But it also seems to be an exceptionally hittable pitch: a full 50% of the balls in play he’s allowed have been hit at at least 99.8 mph.

Keaton Winn

vs. regulars: 4 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
vs. NRIs: 13 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 triple, 4 strikeouts
vs. MiLBs: n/a

Totals: 6.1 innings, 4 hits, 1 triple, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, 1.42 ERA, 2.68 FIP

Also: 1 runner caught stealing

Exit velocities(14 balls in play)
Avg EV: 82.9 (better than the lowest mark of 84.1)
EV50: 63.5 (better than the lowest mark of 70.1)

Winn has looked completely fantastic, regardless of the level of competition. The other-worldly EV marks will course correct with a larger sample — four of his 14 balls in play have been hit softer than 60 mph — but he’s looked extremely impressive, and he’s throwing heat. After losing much of 2025 to injuries, and never getting to really find a rhythm, he could break camp with the team.

Minor Leaguers

There’s no need to deep dive into the pitchers from Minor League camp who have appeared in games, but here are the ones who have played, and how they’ve fared.

John Michael Bertrand:1 inning, 3 walks, 0.00 ERA, 12.63 FIP
Jack Choate: 0.2 innings, 0.00 ERA, 3.63 FIP
R.J. Dabovich: 1.1 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, 2.88 FIP
Cody Delvecchio:1 inning, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, -0.37 FIP
Hunter Dryden: 0.1 innings, 0.00 ERA, 3.63 FIP
Greg Farone: 2 innings, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, 1.63 FIP
Marques Johnson: 3 innings, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts, 3.00 ERA, 0.29 FIP
Gerelmi Maldonado: 1 inning, 2 hits, 1 home run, 3 walks, 1 strikeout, 27.00 ERA, 23.63 FIP
Ben Peterson: 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 walk, 0.00 ERA, 6.63 FIP
Braxton Roxby: 3 innings, 1 hit, 2 walks, 0.00 ERA, 5.63 FIP
Darien Smith: 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 0.00 ERA, 4.13 FIP
Ryan Vanderhei: 2 innings, 2 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, 3.13 FIP
Cade Vernon: 0.1 innings, 0.00 ERA, 3.63 FIP
Tyler Vogel: 1.2 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 5.40 ERA, 3.03 FIP
Trystan Vrieling: 3 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, 2.63 FIP
Nick Zwack: 4 innings, 3 hits, 1 home run, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, 4.50 ERA, 6.38 FIP

Auston Matthews injury update: Maple Leafs star will miss rest of season

It didn't look good when Auston Matthews clutched at his knee immediately after absorbing a knee-on-knee hit from Radko Gudas during the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks Thursday, March 12. We now know that will mark Matthews' last minutes on the ice this season.

The Maple Leafs announced Friday, March 13 that Matthews will miss the rest of the 2025-26 NHL season after he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion on the hit that will seemingly soon result in a suspension for Gudas, who was set to have a disciplinary hearing with the league Friday.

Toronto said Matthews will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks, and the team will give another update then.

Matthews, 28, had gotten the puck alone in front of the net Thursday when a hard-charging Gudas, 35, drove right through the American star, with Gudas' left leg taking out Matthews' left. Matthews immediately clutched at his leg and needed assistance to get off the ice. Gudas was assessed a 5-minute major for kneeing and a 10-minute game misconduct, ending his night.

It's a brutal end to what's been a trying NHL season for 2016's top pick. He finishes with 27 goals and 53 points, both career lows, and the Maple Leafs will almost certainly miss the playoffs for the first time in his 10-year tenure.

The former MVP and three-time goal-scoring champ did experience great success at the Milano Cortina Olympics, captaining Team USA to the gold medal in men's hockey – its first since 1980. But his return to NHL play saw the Leafs drop eight consecutive games before Thursday night. That win, however, is overshadowed by the loss of the Leafs captain.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Auston Matthews knee injury update, for rest of Maple Leafs season

A’s Split Friday Split-Squad: Beat Brewers, Fall To Padres

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: Aaron Civale #45 of the Athletics pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a spring training game at Las Vegas Ballpark on March 08, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Athletics defeated the Angels 7-4. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well you can’t win ‘em all. The A’s dropped one and won one on Friday afternoon when they split up and played two different games. Surprisingly, the half that had all the regulars fell to the San Diego Padres by a 13-9 final, while the other half, which featured mostly bench players and prospects, came out on top in their matchup at the Brewers’ spring complex. Not what you’d expect but that’s baseball for ya.

A’s vs. Padres

The first matchup of the day saw A’s veteran starter Aaron Civale make his second start of the spring for the Green & Gold while the Pads countered with staff leader Michael King. It’s still spring training so it wasn’t like it was always going to be a pitcher’s duel or anything like that, but man did the ball fly out of the park today.

Civale struggles, still makes it through four

The 30-year-old Civale ran into trouble right out of the gate, getting tagged for three runs in the very first inning that saw him give up plenty of hard contact. Results weren’t the point of today’s outing however, it was about getting his pitch count up and getting him ready for the start of the long regular season. Things wouldn’t get much better in the second frame as he allowed more hard hit balls en route to allowing a pair of runs to cross home plate, pushing the score to 5-0 after 2 innings. He’d allow one more run to score in the fourth, which would end up being his final frame of the day as he exited after 75 pitches.

A’s bats explode in the fourth

It took a few frames as the Athletics hitters struggled against Michael King. That’s not especially surprising considering his pedigree but they would wake up soon enough.

After working just a single walk the first time through the frame things turned up quickly. The fourth started innocently enough with a single followed by two outs, making it look like it’d be another fast inning of work for King agains the A’s. That would not be the case however as the rally was only beginning. First Max Muncy singled to put runners on the corners, and that brought up the hot-swinging Henry Bolte, who delivered a 3-run blast to get the A’s on the board, his third this spring:

The A’s weren’t done there! Immediately following Bolte was fellow outfielder Breyson Guedez, who blasted his own home run to further cut into the San Diego lead:

It was now suddenly 6-4 and we had a game on our hands. And following Guedez was “leadoff” man Nick Kurtz, who did what Nick Kurtz does and blasted his own solo home run to make it 6-5:

Do you think that the A’s were done there? Think again. This time it was Tyler Soderstrom’s turn to get on the fun as he blasted a two-run homer to right field to give the A’s the lead:

What a way to cap the frame. Suddenly the A’s were in front and feeling like all the momentum in the world was on their side.

Quite middle frames, but Padres take late lead

For a few innings the A’s looked in control. Civale was now out of the game (and off the hook for the loss) while it was now up to the bullpen to get it done. Jake Garland, Nick Martinez, Mark Leiter Jr., and Hogan Harris all did their job getting the game to the eighth with the lead still intact. Unfortunately for the A’s their bullpen luck ran out with Nick Hernandez, who got hit up for four runs without recording a single out. CD Pelham and Dairon De Jesus finished things off allowing some insurance runs to the Padres each, again putting this game seemingly out of reach.

The A’s did have some fight left in them at the end. Guedez collected an RBI sac fly in the seventh, and one more run in the bottom of the ninth came around to score but it was just far too little too late for our A’s as they dropped the contest 13-9.

On the bright side, Civale got his work in and could probably take the ball if the regular season was here. How the results would go is anyone’s guess but he’d be ready. The offense looks like it’s in mid-season form already, and they’re still missing Lawrence Butler. We don’t have anything to worry about with the bats right now. Let’s just get them all healthy and to Opening Day unscathed.

Here’s how the box score looked today:

A’s at Brewers

Meanwhile while the A’s/Padres game was going on the other half of the squad was a few miles down the road at the Brewers complex. Compared to the other half of the team this lineup and pitching matchup featured many more rookies and bench players that are either on the outer edges of the roster or are just waiting to be reassigned to minor league camp.

Jump impresses in fourth appearance

It was Gage Jump on the bump for the Athletics today. The A’s #3 ranked prospect came into spring with little chance of breaking camp with the club but has done nothing but impress in his time with the big league team. That continued for Jump today as he pitched three shutout frames and got his pitch count up to 59 while allowing just four hits. He also struck out three without issuing a free pass. He’d have to leapfrog someone in the current pecking order but Jump is making that decision harder and harder on Mark Kotsay. Even if he isn’t on the Opening Day roster, it shouldn’t be long before we see him suit up for the big league squad.

A’s strike first

With the B-lineup in against the Brewers the prospects and bench players got to work against Milwaukee starter Kyle Harrison. First they scored three times in the second via an RBI triple off the bat of Michael Stefanic, which was immediately followed by a two-run home run off the bat of veteran backstop Chad Wallach, who is presumably the 3rd or 4th catcher on the depth chart at this point.

They added on a trio more runs in the next frame. A bases-loaded situation presented itself to A’s prospect Tommy White, and he came through and delivered for his squad with a bases-clearing two-bagger that doubled the Athletics’ lead over the Brew Crew. Offense isn’t the question with White; it’s where his long-term home on defense is.

The A’s added on an insurance run in the fifth thanks to a solo blast off the bat of outfielder Colby Thomas that made it 7-0 A’s, his first long ball of spring. He’s had a rough go of it in camp so it’s a positive sign to see him run into one. Maybe that’ll kick start the former top prospect right before cutdown time arrives.

Brewers fight back

Once Jump was out of the game you could almost feel the sigh of relief coming from the opposing dugout. A quick inning of work from Justin Sterner kept them off the board but then they were able to push a couple runs across against Luis Medina. A former top prospect himself, Medina has not looked quite back to his old self quite yet but he is out of options and therefore could end up on roster to open the season, obviously in the bullpen. Otherwise if the front office doesn’t feel like he’ll find his former form, they could end up cutting him near the end of camp and hope to sneak him through waivers. Unlikely to succeed on that front but who knows? Other teams are seeing the same thing we’re seeing from the right-hander.

A’s tack on, finish off Brew Crew

Not looking to blow the lead, the offense kept up the pressure with another run in the seventh (a Cade Marlowe RBI single) and a solo shot in the eight (thank you Stefanik). Then, just looking to make it embareessing, Tommy White came to the plate again, and again came through with a huge hit. Only this time, it left the park for a grand slam. It’s only spring but there’s not really much doubt he can hit, right everyone?

The Brewers added on a pair of meaningless runs in the bottom of the ninth off an RBI single but it was over by then. The A’s finished them off, securing at least one win on this beautiful Friday afternoon.

Here’s the final box from this contest:

The team will regroup together tomorrow for an afternoon contest against the Kansas City Royals. It’ll be left-hander Jacob Lopez on the bump for what will be his second appearance this spring. The A’s have been taking things slowly with Lopez because he ended last year with a question mark injury. Cautiously letting him get stretched out, it seems like Lopez should be in the starting rotation come Opening Day but it’s not a guarantee quite yet. A big outing tomorrow would go a long way towards assuaging the coaches that he’s healthy and ready for the grind of a six month season. He’ll be worth watching tomorrow afternoon. The Royals will counter with righty Ryan Bergert, a promising pitcher in their system who could also be making some noise in Kansas City this coming season.

Brewers get throttled by A’s in 13-4 spring training loss

Milwaukee Brewers
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28, 2026: Andrew Vaughn #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers covers first base during the first inning of a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Fields of Phoenix on February 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

It’s a good thing these games don’t count yet. The Milwaukee Brewers struggled through a 13-4 loss to the Athletics in Cactus League play with some poor defense causing a lot of the problems.

Kyle Harrison got the start and pitched in five innings. He’s the first Brewers starter to get five “ups” this spring, but was charged with six earned runs. There was a fly ball lost in the sun and his defense did let him down on a couple of occasions leaving the Brewers in a big hole early. The Athletics were able to score three runs in the 2nd and three runs in the 3rd.

After Harrison, Trevor Megill came in and allowed a solo homer to Colby Thomas. Then Carlos Rodriguez pitched two innings of one run ball in his first Cactus League action in a couple weeks. Rodriguez was with Team Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic, who were eliminated after the pool play round. Sammy Peralta then allowed a run in his inning of work and the wheels totally fell off when Mark Manfredi entered and allowed a grand slam to Tommy “Tanks” White without recording an out.

On the offensive end, the Brewers scored a pair of runs in the 6th on a Jake Bauers RBI single and an Andrew Vaughn RBI double. Milwaukee scraped together two more runs in the 9th on a 2 RBI single by Josh Adamczewski.

Cooper Pratt had a pair of singles and went 2-for-3 on the day while getting the start at second base. He’s now hitting .280 on the spring. Braylon Payne had a double, which was one of just two extra-base hits the Brewers had, along with Vaughn’s RBI double.

The Brewers fall to 8-11 in Cactus League play. They will be back at it tomorrow against the Colorado Rockies and will have Jacob Misiorowski on the bump.