MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Pitcher Emerson Hancock #26 of the Seattle Mariners walks to the dugout before a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on March 12, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s a preview of the Spring Breakout game as the Mariners take on the Brewers in Peoria. Emerson Hancock gets the start as he continues to eye an Opening Day slot in place of the injured Bryce Miller.
Lineups:
Julio back! Julio back!
Injury news:
J.P. Crawford saw Dr. Kenneth Meister yesterday for his injured shoulder and received a cortisone injection. He should be able to resume baseball activity in a few days.
Roster move:
The Mariners optioned RHP Alex Hoppe to Triple-A Tacoma today.
Mar 18, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
This afternoon, the Yankees proved that one of the most integral parts of the sport, the baseball bat, is completely unnecessary to win a baseball game. In a contest where pitchers on both sides looked dominant—including Gerrit Cole, who pitched the top of the first inning—the only run came on a throwing error caused by a double steal following a pair of walks. That delightful order of operations, as well as great pitching from Cole, Carlos Lagrange, and others, gave the Yankees a 1-0 spring training victory over the Red Sox.
Cole’s return to MLB action post-Tommy John was of course brief, but plenty encouraging. He threw 10 pitches in a scoreless first inning, working around a leadoff bunt single to retire the side. Cole threw his fastball, slider, and knuckle curve—the fastball sat comfortably in the high-90s while the slider hit 91 mph on a delivery to Kristian Campbell. We’re still not likely to get a full day’s work from Cole on a big-league mound until May or June, but it was great to see the progress in a live environment in front of real competition.
But the show on the mound continued even after the Cole Train’s departure. After a scoreless second inning from Harrison Cohen, the hard-throwing prospect Lagrange took over for the Yanks and had his way with the Boston offense—lack of MLB-caliber talent in the lineup notwithstanding. While regularly hitting 100 mph on the heater and pulling the string on his wicked sweeper, he attacked the zone consistently and finished players off in early counts. He completed four scoreless innings for a second straight Grapefruit League outing, striking out four Red Sox and throwing just 60 pitches. Plenty of eyes will be on Lagrange as he begins the minor-league season.
Not to be outdone, Boston lefty Connelly Early looked very impressive against the Yankees’ lineup. Last year’s starter for Wild Card Game 3 sliced and posted five straight zeroes on the box score before allowing a leadoff walk to Amed Rosario to start the sixth and leaving the game. Early racked up seven strikeouts with just one hit allowed and two free passes. It seems quite likely we’ll be seeing more from this Virginian southpaw in 2026.
The pitching clinic continued as neither offense managed to do much of anything through seven. Fernando Cruz danced around some loud contact ahead of the seventh inning stretch, and Red Sox lefty Tyler Samaniego picked up where Early left off with four Ks in two perfect frames.
It looked like Boston would finally win the staring contest in the top of the eighth when they got two men in scoring position with nobody out against Brent Headrick. But try as they might, they couldn’t break through. Kristian Campbell lined a ball that looked ticketed for the left field corner, but a leaping catch by Owen Cobb made it a harmless out. Following a strikeout of catcher Ronald Rosario and a walk to DH Nathan Hickey to load the bases, Headrick managed to induce a soft chopper to short from outfielder Allan Castro, who couldn’t beat Max Schuemann’s throw to first as the Sox left ‘em loaded.
Naturally, the rally which finally brought in a run in this game involved not a single bit of contact from a bat. Reliever Tyler Uberstine issued a pair of one-out walks in the eighth to Kenedy Corona and Cole Gabrielson, who decided to force the issue with a double steal. Their aggressiveness was rewarded as the catcher Rosario’s throw sailed into center field. Corona came home to score the one and only run of this extraordinarily preseason-y contest.
Angel Chivilli got the final three outs without incident to stamp an unforgettably forgettable win. I love it! Beating the Red Sox in the process is the cherry on top.
With officially one week left until the Yankees open the 2026 MLB season in San Francisco, only eight Grapefruit League contests (plus a Spring Breakout game on Saturday) remain on the horizon. Tomorrow is the final true split-squad day of the preseason, with one squad facing the Orioles at home and another hitting the road to Dunedin and facing the Blue Jays. Max Fried and Dean Kremer will be the pitching matchup for the former; Ryan Weathers will tango with Cody Ponce in the latter. Both games will start a little after 1 pm.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!
Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Lakers computer picks
Deandrea Ayton Over 9.5 points (-105)
Projection: 11.1 points
Deandre Ayton came up just short in Monday's contest, but we're going back to the well with the Los Angeles Lakers big man, who remains a steady presence in the paint.
The Lakers' superb 120.7 points per game rate sixth-strongest in the NBA over the last 10 games, and this is a low enough total that Ayton is appealing with his low ceiling but relatively high floor.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet ayton Now at bet365!/span
Luka Doncic Under 31.5 points (-110)
Projection: 30.3 points
Yes, Luka Doncic scored 36 points on Monday, but this Houston Rockets defense is excellent and can't be expected to lay down again.
The matchup is a hard one; when the Rockets are playing at home, they have allowed the second-fewest points per game to the opposing team's starting PGs over the last 10 games.
The Lakers also rank as the second-worst offensive rebounding offense over the last 25 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can eliminate extra opportunities for scoring and assists).
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet doncic Now at bet365!/span
Marcus Smart Over 2.5 rebounds (+140)
Projection: 2.7 rebounds
Marcus Smart isn't your prototypical rebounder, but this is a low enough number that he's cleared in six of his last 10 games.
The matchup isn't super favorable, but that's accounted for with the +140 line.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Smart Now at bet365!/span
Rockets computer picks
Reed Sheppard Over 12.5 points (-120)
Projection: 14.6 points
Even though Reed Sheppard has been relatively quiet, going Under this total in three of his last four games, he had cleared 12.5 points in six straight before that.
The Rockets check in as the best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide added opportunities for scoring and assists).
Plus, Sheppard still played 31 minutes on Monday, so his floor time hasn't diminished.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet sheppard Now at bet365!/span
Tari Eason Over 9.5 points (-115)
Projection: 11.2 points
Don't fret the fact that Tari Eason has scored double-digit points just once in his last 10 games. Despite Monday's five-point dud on 2-for-11 shooting, including 0-for-3 from deep, this should generally be a positive matchup.
The Lakers are vulnerable from beyond the arc, and Eason put up 13 points against the Lakers when these squads met on Christmas Day.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet eason Now at bet365!/span
Alperen Sengun Under 8.5 rebounds (-135)
Projection: 7.9 rebounds
Alperen Sengun has sat out the Rockets' last two games with a lingering back issue and was limited to 24 minutes against the Nuggets when he last played.
While he's averaged 8.9 boards this season, that injury may keep his minutes low and prevent him from being at his best when he is on the floor. The Rockets also play at a sluggish pace, which will take away volume, especially if Sengun isn't playing his full share in his first game back.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Sengun Now at bet365!/span
How to watch Lakers vs Rockets tonight
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
GOODYEAR, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Ralphy Velazquez #87 of the Cleveland Guardians poses for a photo during the Cleveland Guardians photo day at Goodyear Ballpark on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Nic Antaya/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Guardians have announced their roster for tomorrow’s spring breakout game. Here it is:
Pitchers: Yorman Gomez, RHP Josh Hartle, LHP Braylon Doughty, RHP Joey Oakie, RHP Matt Wilkinson, LHP Magnus Ellerts, RHP Luis Flores, LHP Jack Jasiak, RHP
Catchers: Cooper Ingle, LHH Jacob Cozart, LHH
Infielders: Angel Genao, SH Ralphy Velazquez, LHH Jose Devers, RHH Dauri Fernandez, SH Dean Curley, RHH Nolan Schubert, LHH Gabriel Rodriguez, RHH Milan Tolentino, LHH
This is an exciting roster! Travis Bazzana will be still playing with the major league team, I’m assuming. I do find it curious that Kahl Stephen isn’t on the roster, but, other than that, it seems to be everyone I would expect to see. It will be exciting to see if folks like LaViolette, Arias, Rodriguez and Fernandez get some playing time.
Here’s what I’d expect to see as a starting lineup: 1. Watson, CF 2. Genao, SS 3. Velazquez, 1B 4. Rosario, RF 5. Ingle, C 6. Chourio, LF 7. Antunez, DH 8. Tolentino, 3B 9. Devers, 2B
And, maybe Doughty taking the start? In any case, tune in at 2PM ET on MLBTV to get a glimpse of a bright future for the Guardians! Let us know who you’re most excited to see in the comments below.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a three-point shot over Kyle Filipowski #22 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of their game at the Delta Center on January 20, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz Date: March 18th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CDT Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
For one night at least, the Minnesota Timberwolves managed to pull themselves back from the edge.
With word breaking Monday night that Anthony Edwards would miss the game against Phoenix and then the even more concerning follow-up that the absence could stretch one to two weeks, Tuesday night had all the makings of a game that could send a season spiraling. The Wolves entered it already walking the tightrope in the Western Conference standings, with the Suns lurking directly beneath them and the play-in line looming dangerously close. Lose that game, and suddenly Phoenix is right back in the mix, Minnesota’s margin for error is basically gone, and all of the bad vibes from the past week get amplified. Win it, and the team could buy itself some breathing room and a little bit of hope they can tread water until Ant returns.
Thankfully for the Wolves, they answered the bell.
Things did not start in particularly inspiring fashion. Minnesota came out in the first quarter and defended like a team that had not fully grasped the gravity of the moment. Phoenix was getting to the rim at will. The Wolves were coughing up turnovers. The effort level and the execution both looked shaky, and before long the Suns had pushed out to an 11-point lead. It had all the signs of one of those ugly nights where the Wolves spend the first half sleepwalking, then have to talk themselves into urgency after the damage is already done. By the end of the first quarter, Minnesota had at least stabilized enough offensively to climb back within 39-36, but let’s be honest, giving up 39 points was not exactly the kind of opening act that builds confidence.
But to the Wolves’ credit, they actually responded like a serious team. Over the final three quarters, Minnesota allowed just 65 points. That is an enormous course correction and, frankly, exactly the kind of defensive resilience this team needed to show if it wants to be taken seriously without Edwards in the lineup. The game flipped because the Wolves finally started acting like the bigger, more athletic, more defensively imposing team. The rim protection came alive. The rotations tightened. Phoenix stopped getting those easy runway looks that had fueled the first-quarter surge. Once the Wolves got the game onto their terms, the Suns simply did not have enough resistance to hold up over 48 minutes.
One of the biggest reasons Minnesota survived and then took control was Julius Randle, who once again stepped into the role of offensive centerpiece and delivered exactly what the Wolves needed. Randle finished with 32 points, building on the positive signs he had shown against Oklahoma City and looking much more like the early-season version of himself than the post-All-Star guy who had been drifting in and out of games. He attacked the paint, scored with force, and, most importantly, he looked like he understood that without Ant on the floor, this team was going to need him to be more than just a complementary scorer. It needed him to be the guy.
Next up was Bones Highland, who gave Minnesota exactly the kind of spark bench scorers are supposed to give but so rarely do on command. Bones poured in 22 points, injecting life into the second unit and helping keep the offense afloat during stretches where it might otherwise have bogged down. In a game where Minnesota desperately needed somebody other than Randle to create and convert, Bones stepped in as a microwave scorer.
The frontcourt also rediscovered its identity. Rudy Gobert, coming off a rough outing against the Thunder, reasserted himself around the basket and made the paint feel like a restricted government zone. Gobert finished with four blocks, and he wasn’t alone. Naz Reid also had four blocks, giving Minnesota a combined eight swats between its two most important interior defenders. More than the block totals themselves, it was the tone that mattered. The Wolves used their size, length, and rim protection to turn the game from a first-quarter track meet into a grind, and Phoenix never really recovered once that happened.
There’s not much time to savor it, though, because Utah is rolling into Target Center for the second night of a back-to-back. Under normal circumstances, a home game against a depleted Jazz team might feel like one you circle as a probable win and move on. But this Wolves team has spent the season proving that no game is actually easy if they decide to treat it like a formality. And with Edwards still sidelined, nothing gets to be taken for granted.
Utah, by all appearances, is actively angling for lottery position. They will be without Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic. Keyonte George, who went on that scoring binge to steal the last game from Minnesota in Utah, is out as well. Ace Bailey is listed as questionable. On paper, it looks like a setup. On paper, the Wolves hold a clear talent edge even without their superstar. On paper, this should be a “take care of business and move on” type of night.
But Wolves fans have seen enough “on paper” games turn into disasters to know better.
So with that, here are the keys to the game.
#1 – The Wolves cannot play with their food.
This has to be the theme of the night. They cannot look at Utah’s injury report and mentally chalk up the win before the opening tip. That is how bad teams get confidence. That is how random role players start feeling dangerous. That is how you wake up midway through the fourth quarter in a one-possession game wondering how the hell this happened. Even a tanking team still has NBA players, and those players would absolutely love to walk into Target Center, get extra run, and prove they belong. The Wolves need to choke this thing out early. Strong team defense, good pace, and focused execution need to be present from the jump so this game does not become a fourth-quarter survival test on tired legs.
#2 – Dominate around the rim.
Phoenix came in shorthanded in the frontcourt and the Wolves eventually made them pay for it. Utah is bringing a similar setup. This should be a game where Gobert once again functions as a force field around the basket. He needs to rebound, block shots, and make every Jazz drive feel like a bad idea. Randle and Naz also have to carry over the physicality from the Suns game. If Minnesota’s big three in the frontcourt treats this like a paint war, Utah simply should not have enough size or interior talent to hold up over four quarters. This is one of those games where the Wolves need to look bigger, stronger, and more punishing than the other team, simply because they are.
#3 – The ball movement has to continue.
One of the more interesting byproducts of Edwards being out was how willing the Wolves were to move the ball and play team offense. That’s not meant as some shot at Ant, because everyone understands why he dominates the ball at times. He’s the star. He’s the bailout option. He’s the guy who can rescue possessions when everything else fails. But with him off the floor, the Wolves had no choice but to trust the pass, trust each other, and keep the offense from stagnating. That led to better involvement from Bones and Ayo Dosunmu, and it gave the offense a little more collective rhythm. That has to continue. Against Utah, the Wolves can absolutely survive without Edwards’ individual offense if they maximize possessions, create good looks, and stay unselfish.
#4 – Clean up the turnovers.
The Wolves were better against Phoenix than they had been against Oklahoma City, but only because it was nearly mathematically impossible to be worse. Sixteen turnovers is still too many. Without their best player, the Wolves cannot afford to hand away possessions and give the other team transition points. Against a Jazz team that shouldn’t be able to generate much easy offense on its own, the absolute worst thing Minnesota can do is gift-wrap opportunities. This is where professional basketball comes in. Take care of the ball. Finish defensive possessions. Hit your free throws. Don’t make life harder than it needs to be. If the Wolves handle the basic stuff, their talent advantage should take over.
#5 – Julius Randle has to keep being Big Julius.
This is probably the biggest swing factor during Edwards’ absence. Earlier in the season, when Ant missed time with his foot issues, Randle carried the scoring burden and looked like a true offensive hub. Then he hit that post-All-Star funk and became a shell of that guy. The signs against OKC were encouraging, and the performance against Phoenix was more than encouraging and exactly what Minnesota needed. Now comes the challenge of doing it again. Randle has to keep scoring efficiently, keep making the right play when help comes, and keep balancing his own offense with the playmaking element that makes him so dangerous. When he draws defenders and kicks to open teammates instead of stopping the offense, Minnesota becomes much harder to guard. Without Edwards, that version of Randle is not just useful, it’s essential.
This is the kind of game that is easy to dismiss because it probably won’t be pretty and it certainly won’t feel gratifying. But these are the kinds of games that determine whether you stay well above the play-in line or spend the last two weeks of the season sweating every scoreboard update. Tuesday against Phoenix was a must-win, and the Wolves treated it like one after the first quarter. Wednesday against Utah needs to be approached the same way. Then comes Portland on Friday. These are the games Minnesota has to bank, especially while Edwards is sidelined, especially before the schedule stiffens again, and especially because they’ve already made this season harder on themselves than it needed to be.
Nobody is asking for art here. The expectation isn’t some beautiful, flowing masterpiece of offensive basketball. This team just has to be mature, focused, and professional. It needs to be one of those nights where the better team comes out, takes care of business, and moves on.
Given this team’s history, that still feels like a bigger ask than it should.
But if the Wolves are serious about holding their ground in the West while Ant is out, it’s exactly what they have to do.
MIAMI, Florida — We’re going to need an entirely new lexicon to describe the celebration that unfolded at loanDepot Park as Cubs closer Daniel Palencia struck out one of Team USA’s hottest hitters, Roman Anthony to end a legendary final in the World Baseball Classic. The win resulted in the first World Baseball Championship for Venezuela and it sent the crowd of more than 36,000 fans into a frenzy. It sent millions of Venezuelans following the action at watch parties all over the country into raucous cheers. It sent Palencia’s glove higher in the air than any bat flip I’ve seen with the exception of one his teammate Willson Contreras sent soaring against the White Sox during the 2020 shortened pandemic season.
Nine innings before Palencia would put a capstone on a historic achievement for Venezuela the vibes were already elite. Even Yankees fans couldn’t resist joining the dance party:
Fans of both countries had every right to be fired up. From the time the teams entered to the moment Venezuela won a close game it was a historic night in Miami:
It was a solid outing for McLean, much better than his start against the upstart team from Italy. But while 4.2 innings with four hits, four strikeouts, one walk and two runs, both earned, was better than last time it was not enough to best the outstanding work Eduardo Rodríguez did for Venezuela. E-Rod threw 4.1 innings of one hit, scoreless baseball for his country. The ovation was electric:
There were two innings late where the tension got the better of the vibes in the stands. As I walked through the concourse during the seventh inning stretch the dance party was a bit muted. When I returned to my seat you could almost feel 25,000 Venezuelan fans counting the outs and strikes until the end of the game. The two-run lead felt fraught. It didn’t seem possible that the capricious baseball gods would let Venezuela march to their first World Baseball Championship so easily. That feeling was ultimately correct as Bryce Harper tied the game with this no-doubt home run in the eighth:
And let’s be clear, Harper understood the assignment. The only item that traveled higher than his bat during this game was Palencia’s glove on the final out:
It’s also worth pointing out that multiple sources reported that at least three organizations asked Venezuela not to use certain relievers on back-to-back nights. We have no word if one of those organizations was the Cubs, but we do know manager Omar Lopez lobbied to change their minds:
Venezuela manager Omar Lopez on potential pitching restrictions after heavily using his bullpen Monday night: ‘I woke this morning, three text messages from different organizations trying not to pitch guys back to back.’’’ He called them back trying to convince them to change…
And of course he lobbied them to change their mind. This is an environment Aaron Judge described as better than the World Series. Venezuela is a baseball country. I don’t really know how to put this into words better than this post:
Venezuela is not just a baseball country — it is a nation that breathes the game, suffers with it, celebrates with it, and carries it in its identity. This is a country where baseball is not mere entertainment, but memory, pride, family, and national emotion all at once. That is…
Whatever Lopez said to those organizations and whether they gave their blessing or not, Venezuela hasn’t given up at any point in this tournament. They did not give up when they were down against Japan or Italy. You could almost feel the crowd exhale as the eighth inning ended and the game was merely tied. Eugenio Suárez made sure the game wasn’t tied for long:
This set the stage for Daniel Palencia’s big moment. Even if the Cubs win a World Series while Daniel Palencia is closing for them, I imagine closing out this game will always mean more to him. You don’t have to believe me, just check out the watch party in his hometown and how they reacted to the final out:
I need to set the stage for this a bit. I was at a watch party the Cubs hosted at Gallagher Way during last year’s National League Championship Series against the Brewers. Admittedly, the Cubs got blown out in Milwaukee that day, but we had maybe 500 fans assembled to watch the game. Check out what last night looked like in Caracas:
This win was World Cup energy applied to baseball for a nation that eats, sleeps and breathes baseball. It was a moment of triumph for Venezuela at a point in time where it’s hard to imagine it mattering more. It was perfection.
The party continued long after the trophy presentation. We danced through the concourse. We chanted with fans from every nation represented at the World Baseball Classic. I saw fans in Japan jerseys, Dominican Republic jerseys and USA jerseys join in the festivities. I myself was in a Mexico jacket. It did not matter where we were from, the joy of the Venezuelans was contagious and all were welcome. This video is as my portion of the crowd began to exit an hour after the final official ceremonies:
At the risk of eliciting some ire in the comments, I’m not sure the United States could win any sport in any international competition that would generate the same level of national unity and pride. Our chanting tends towards the stoic and “USA! USA! USA!” just really doesn’t hit the same way as tens of thousands of people with drums who all know half a dozen common refrains. I was amused to see some United States fans in the lower bowl attempt to mimic the “ponche” (strikeout) chant every fan of Venezuela engaged in for every two strike count of every game I attended. It just didn’t hit quite the same.
I’ll leave you with this audio from Caracas. I imagine this what Wrigleyville must have sounded like after the Cubs won the World Series. Sometimes it takes a place built around baseball winning a championship to truly capture the vibes. Like this audio from Caricuao, Caracas:
Me enviaron este vídeo desde Caricuao, Caracas donde se ve el momento exacto de los festejos por la victoria de Venezuela en el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol
NORTH PORT, FL - MARCH 14: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves catches a flyball in the outfield during the spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves on March 14, 2026 at CoolToday Park in North Port, FL. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It won’t be until mid-April that the Atlanta Braves face the Philadelphia Phillies again.
What started as a pretty underwhelming showcase today with the Braves turned into a late win (3-2) as the lineup couldn’t manage a hit to get on the board until the bottom of the seventh inning where Michael Harris II hit an RBI single to drive in Dalton McIntyre.
In the same inning, he was able to tie the score (2-2) by gaining a run of his own through a sacrifice-fly from Luke Williams. The Braves were able to get ahead by a run after a fielding error by Phillies’ third baseman (much to Phillies’ fans dismay) Garret Grubs. Outfielder Ben Gamel would get a run off of this error to take the lead (3-2).
As for veteran pitcher Martín Pérez, he was able to manage 3.2 innings and only allowing one run and six hits through switching out a few times with Jacob Kroeger.
Now, though Pérez didn’t show us a lot in today’s outing, one person that is fighting for an Opening Day roster spot—-with an impressive resume building as of now—-is Didier Fuentes. Watch the 20-year old’s improved command at the mound, along with his striking fastball amongst his arsenal that makes him a strong asset for the rotation.
The ABS system was used to his advantage in the top of the sixth and called a strike for the second out of the inning. With eight total strikeouts in today’s game, it’s safe to say that this might be a gem that the team needs to key in on for the long-run.
Could we be seeing another Braves’ Rookie of the Year this year?
The team is off tomorrow, but will be set to take on the Pirates on Friday.
Major League Baseball is facing a turbulent moment right now. Local media rights are unsettled, labor issues are expected to cause a lockout in 2027, and the lack of a salary cap creates payroll disparities. But for private equity, all this volatility is building a perfect storm through which to swoop in.
MLB was one of the first of the major U.S. professional sports leagues to allow PE firms to invest. In 2019, baseball began allowing PE funds to buy up to 15% of a team, with no limit on the number of clubs a fund can invest in. It’s not clear if MLB imposes a minimum dollar amount that funds must spend. And no franchise can sell more than 30% of its equity to PE.
As one of the first to open its doors to PE, MLB has attracted more PE funds than many other sports leagues. (The NBA has more PE investments, but that includes firms like Arctos Partners that have multiple holdings.)
A handful of private equity firms have taken stakes in MLB teams. This includes Arctos, Sportsology Capital Partners and Sixth Street. RedBird Capital, the PE firm from Gerry Cardinale, backs Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Red Sox. Silver Lake owns Diamond Baseball Holdings, which has amassed a collection of 48 minor league teams. (Marc Lasry’s Avenue Capital is an investor in the Baltimore Orioles, but Avenue is a hedge fund and not private equity.)
Ares Management is an investor in Chelsea FC, Inter Miami CF and the Miami Dolphins but doesn’t own an MLB team. Ares did act as a lender to the San Diego Padres in 2021.
Buying a professional sports team is a complicated, capital-intensive and regulated process that can take lots of time. Sportsology spent one-and-a-half years in negotiations before completing their minority stake in the Texas Rangers in February.
Investing in sports teams is still relatively new, said Aaron Mulvihill, global alternatives strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. “Sports investing is quite unique and interesting because it’s emotional and there’s a lot of fan loyalty,” he said. “It’s quite specialized. It’s a little more difficult to predict on an Excel model how a sports franchise will do.”
Private equity has recently hit some trouble. Some funds with exposure to the so-called SaaS-pocalypse are facing withdrawals as well as sharp stock declines. Particularly hard-hit is Blue Owl, which last month reportedly restricted investor withdrawals from one of its retail-focused funds. Blue Owl is the parent of the HomeCourt Partners fund which buys minority stakes in NBA franchises. Shares of Blue Owl are down 57% from their 52-week closing high of $21.65 that it reached in March 2025.
Still, there are many reasons to invest in professional sports teams, one being the scarcity of teams, with many leagues capped at around 30 clubs.
Soaring team valuations provide another reason to invest in sports. In 2001, Forbes valued the Dallas Cowboys at $743 million, a figure that rocketed to $13 billion in August’s Sportico valuations, making Dallas the world’s most valuable sports team.
While baseball lags the NFL, in part because MLB takes in far less money in national TV rights deals, its franchise values are growing, too, with the average team up 12% this year alone.
The New York Yankees again toppedSportico’s new list of most valuable MLB franchises at $9.4 billion, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers at $9.05 billion and the Boston Red Sox placing at $6.65 billion.
How to Value
When it comes to valuing a club, many professional sports teams operate with negative cash flows, so traditional valuations metrics like EBITDA are useless, according to the Corporate Finance Institute. This is why MLB teams are often valued as a multiple of revenue. Using a revenue multiple allows clubs to capture revenue from local media and the intrinsic value of each team.
Valuing teams with an EBITDA multiple also doesn’t allow teams to include their scarcity value. “Sports team ownership, for an individual, in many ways is more analogous to the ownership of a valuable piece of art than it is to cold economic rationality,” said Stephen Amdur, a partner with law firm Fried Frank, who has advised on sports transactions such as the sale of Chelsea FC and the San Francisco Giants’ partnership with Sixth Street. “I don’t know how a person ultimately decides exactly what a Picasso should be worth, just as I don’t know how a person decides exactly what the Chicago Bears should be worth. It all depends on the team, the situation and your own personal enjoyment of the sport.”
The average MLB team is worth $3.17 billion, according to Sporticodata. This translates to an average multiple of about 7.2x revenue. This low valuation is mainly due to the league’s looming labor issues. The current collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLB Players Association is set to expire on Dec. 1, and many expect a work stoppage.
A major point of contention is the salary cap. The NFL, the NHL and the NBA each have salary caps, but MLB doesn’t, which has led to spending disparity and competitive imbalances. While MLB officials have discussed adding a salary cap and a salary floor, the players union has long been against pay limits. “Leagues that have salary caps like NFL have more predicable costs, which is helpful for investors in long-term planning,” Mulvihill said.
There are also media rights issues. In November, the MLB signed off on a package of new, short-term media rights deals with NBC Universal, ESPN and Netflix. Local media rights for the league remain unsettled.
When asked for comment, an MLB spokesman referred to Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred’s recent remarks. “We haven’t even started the process. Candid conversations around (seeing) things that need to be addressed doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to make this proposal or that proposal. I think we have to wait and see how things unfold at the table,” Manfred said during a WFAN radio interview in January.
Broken player economics, including the lack of a salary cap, is suppressing MLB multiples, according to one private equity executive, who declined to speak on the record.
A second PE exec, who also asked not to be named, thinks there will be a delay to the 2027 season with games likely starting in June.
Some bankers and PE executives believe all this volatility makes MLB a great place for private equity to invest right now. They say there are some longtime owners with majority stakes who are economically exposed to baseball’s volatility and would welcome taking money off the table.
Once MLB fixes its problems, including clinching a new CBA, team valuations are expected to jump. Until then, there is good value in the MLB, including for the San Diego Padres, which went on the market in November.
Conviction has helped private equity during broader economic troubles. Many PE funds that invested during the 2008 financial crisis did well. For example, Blackstone acquired Hilton Hotels in 2007 in a deal valued at $26 billion, right before the onset of the global financial crisis. When Hilton faced distress, Blackstone had to restructure the hotel’s debt in 2010. But by 2013, Blackstone took Hilton public and made a $14 billion profit, still considered one of the best PE returns in the industry.
“It is always incredibly hard to time investments whether it’s buying stocks or buying sports teams,” Mulvihill said. “It’s really about being comfortable with that investment in the long term.”
VENICE, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Bryce Rainer #28 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park on March 16, 2025 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Spring Breakout series has been a pretty big hit with fans since its implementation back in 2024. For Detroit Tigers fans, the farm system vs. farm system exhibition have has offered first looks at the Tigers’ top picks from the previous summer’s draft the past two years, often with eye-popping results. Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark played well in the first one, and last year Bryce Rainer announced his presence with a 114 mph laser the opposite way in his first professional at-bat since being drafted out of the high school ranks. This year’s matchup is set for Friday, March 20 at 7:35 p.m. ET between the Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton. Let’s take a quick look at who will, and who won’t, be joining manager Alan Trammell’s team of Tigers farmhands.
The most notable part of the announcement of the Tigers’ roster, is that Kevin McGonigle isn’t on it. Does that mean the Tigers are taking him north? I expect that decision has already been made either way, but it sure feels like a good sign on his behalf. On the other side, the game’s top prospect, Konnor Griffin, will be on hand to lead the Pirates’ youngsters.
The Tigers will be led by Max Clark, their second ranked prospect and a national top 10 prospect in most sites’ opinion. Clark’s stint in major league camp was marred by a couple of dropped fly balls in the sun and then a truly ridiculous amount of ragebait from various influencers trying to cash in on Clark’s online presence and notoriety. No doubt that was a learning experience for the hard-working and thoughtful young center fielder, or at least some practice in terms of blocking out the noise that grows louder the closer a prospect gets to their major league debut.
Clark will be joined by shortstop prospect Bryce Rainer, who will make his first public appearance since separating his shoulder and undergoing surgery last May. Rainer was off to a pretty scorching start prior to the injury, so it’s great to see that he’s healed up and ready for action. The Tigers’ third ranked prospect showed outrageous raw power and a huge throwing arm in his short Single-A debut, but did have some trouble handling better breaking stuff and offspeed than he’s seen before.
The two new faces we’ll be most focused on are 2025 first round pick, shortstop Jordan Yost, and the Tigers’ top international free agent signing last year, 18-year-old outfielder Cris Rodriguez. Yost already announced himself with a grand slam in his first at-bat in major league camp over the weekend, illustrating that concerns about his raw power development on draft day were overblown. Rodriguez just turned 18 in January but did so well in the DSL last year that the Tigers deemed him ready to come stateside and work in the Complex League this season. The Spring Breakout game will be our first good look at him, probably in right field.
We’ll also get a look at 2025 first round competitive balance selection, Michael Oliveto. We’ll assume he’ll be in the DH slot, but it would be great to see him behind the plate after eight months of working on his defense with the Tigers’ coaching staff. Other notable position players listed includes catcher Eduardo Valencia, outfielders Brett Callahan and Jackson Strong, and third baseman Carson Rucker.
The Tigers won’t have any of their top pitching prospects on hand, going with right-hander Hayden Minton and a few veteran minor league starters, and some of their relief prospects, including Dylan Smith, Moises Rodriguez, Johan Simon, Marco Jimenez, Tanner Kohlhepp, and Yosber Sanchez.
Next year, MLB plans to develop the Spring Breakout games into an ongoing short tournament between farm systems. That will be fun, but either way, the Spring Breakout games have been a cool way to acclimate young prospects to bigger crowds and some national attention, while giving fans a look at their teams’ players of tomorrow. It will be broadcast on MLB Network, and we’ll be following along.
Managed by undefeated Spring Breakout skipper Alan Trammell, your 2026 roster is here ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/aRZsNAx0Hu
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 17: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on March 17, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a much different team now than they were at the beginning of the season.
They came into this year with Darius Garland, Lonzo Ball, and De’Andre Hunter as integral parts of the team. Those three were shipped out at the deadline in exchange for James Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis. In addition to that, Max Strus is working his way back into the lineup after making his season debut on Sunday.
Those are pretty drastic changes to the lineup. With a month to go before the playoffs, head coach Kenny Atkinson still doesn’t know who’s going to be in their postseason rotation.
“I probably have to get to nine [men in the rotation],” Atkinson said when asked afterward if he can play 10 in the playoffs. “I’m still evaluating who fits and who’s going to take the lead in terms of getting into that rotation. We haven’t made a clear decision on who those nine are.”
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Mark Price shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
Atkinson mentioned that you can play 10 in the first round, but you would eventually need to get down to nine or even eight as you advance in the playoffs.
One of the logjams is at the wing. Atkinson mentioned that’s a position he’s still evaluating. Even though he didn’t name any names, it seems like minutes at that spot could come down to Keon Ellis or Jaylon Tyson. Although limiting Schroder’s minutes could make room for both.
Strus will presumably be in the rotation. Atkinson said that he isn’t quite sure if Strus is going to enter the starting lineup once his minutes increase or if he’s going to be in a sixth-man role.
Additionally, he needs to figure out the closing lineups as well. The final spot on Tuesday was between Ellis and Strus. Atkinson opted for Strus, but mentioned that Ellis’s fourth-quarter three almost made him reconsider.
Regardless of whether Atkinson chose to close with Ellis or Strus on Tuesday, it’s fair to point out that Atkinson is opting to go with smaller groups with Allen sidelined. Atkinson closed with four players 6’5” or shorter, in Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Strus, and Sam Merrill sharing the floor, with the lone true forward being Evan Mobley.
“I felt like we needed grit and shotmaking, that’s what [Merrill and Strus] bring to the table,” Atkinson said about choosing to go with that lineup. “I obviously have a comfort level with them from last season.”
The Cavaliers have arguably 11 playable options in the postseason — depending on how you feel about Thomas Bryant. That’s a good problem to have. However, many of them have similar skillsets, and there aren’t many great options for matching up with bigger wings outside of Dean Wade. That could present challenges in certain matchups if they advance past the first round.
We’ll see how this all shakes out in the final month of the season. As of now, nothing is set in stone with the rotations.
Jace Bowen has legitimate five tools | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Over the past several seasons the San Diego Padres’ president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, has traded from the team’s minor league talent pool to acquire major league players. In an effort to keep their window of contention open for as long as possible, the Friars have used their prospect capital to buy major league talent rather than develop that capital.
That has resulted in the present minor league system being the lowest-ranked in baseball by many evaluators. Although the internal evaluations usually differ from the wide view, it cannot be argued that upper-level position player prospects are largely missing. Preller spent most of his offseason signing free agent minor league players that the team believes will help in the present and the future.
Through the course of spring games, some of that talent has had an opportunity to show some of their abilities. Even though the Spring Training environment is not the same as the regular season, the quality of some of the players should give the organization some minor league depth that has been lacking in years past.
Position player options
The whole of spring has provided a platform for the bench competition that has multiple players vying for the last bench job available. When healthy, Sung-Mun Song will be the utility player for the Padres. He will start the season on the IL and will be built up as he recovers from a reoccurring oblique strain. The plan was to get him work at all the infield positions, as well as corner outfield spots, during spring workouts and games. That work will now have to occur in the minor leagues as Song is on the IL and recovers/rehabs.
This leaves a spot open for an opportunity while Song gets to where he needs to be for the Padres purposes. The leading candidates for that opportunity are Jose Miranda and Ty France. They have both distinguished themselves with Miranda hitting .325/.386/.575 with four doubles, two home runs and nine RBI in 40 at-bats. France has a .325/.372/.500 line with four doubles a home run and eight RBI in 40 at-bats. They both play first base and third base with France having experience at second base as well.
Both are on minor league deals but France has an opt-out on March 21 that allows him to leave and take a job elsewhere if he is not placed on the roster. If placed on the roster, neither can be optioned to the minors. If the Padres want to keep both, they can place France on the roster and Miranda can start in El Paso. The problem occurs when Song is activated as France has two more opt-outs during the season and can then choose to find another team.
No matter which way this ends up going, it provides the Padres with Miranda as depth to begin the season. They also have Nick Solak, Mason McCoy, Pablo Reyes and a currently injured Will Wagner for added infield depth available. Both McCoy and Wagner have less major league success and experience compared to France and Miranda.
It should be pointed out the outstanding performance by an infielder this spring belongs to prospect Romeo Sanabria. The first baseman is tied with outfielder Jase Bowen for the team lead in RBI with 11. He has hit all spring and opened some eyes during the early weeks of camp.
The outfield is also in good shape. Bryce Johnson has played well the past two weeks after starting slow. He has a .310/.356/.524 line with three doubles and two home runs with six RBI. He is a switch-hitter with speed and plays good defense. He is also the only other true centerfield talent besides Jackson Merrill. Ramon Laureano can play centerfield in a pinch but his range is not as good.
The minor leagues will boast Samad Taylor, Nick Schnell, Carlos Rodriquez and Bowen. Bowen is a legitimate five-tool player who has shown up this spring. He is hitting .289/.333/.667 with five doubles, four homers and 11 RBI (tied with Sanabria) while playing excellent defense with five-of-six stolen bases. He is also a centerfielder but is not on the roster and Johnson is out of minor league options. If Bowen was given the opportunity to start with the Padres, Johnson would have to clear waivers and choose to stay. At 25, Bowen still has plenty of time to prove he is a major league player and the Padres could use him as the season progresses.
Catchers
Catching depth is an issue for the Padres. Freddy Fermin will be the primary catcher but has never played a whole season as the No. 1 and will need a 1-B. As of now, Luis Campusano is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster. He has spent the spring working on his catching skills and developing a working relationship with the pitching staff. It is not surprising that his hitting has suffered. The reality is that he has yet to establish himself as a major league hitter. His lack of success over multiple seasons ends this year if he wants to be considered a major league catcher.
Manager Craig Stammen and the Padres are expressing unwavering faith in him in order to bolster his confidence and provide him with the best environment to succeed. If he doesn’t come through, there is no fallback option.
Blake Hunt was signed during the offseason to be the safety valve and he was injured early in camp and has not played in a game. Rodolfo Durán, 28, has played the most next to Fermin and Campusano. He has 19 at-bats and has a double and two home runs for a .263/.462/.632 line. Should either Fermin or Campusano get injured, a catcher would have to placed on the roster in order to be called up.
Pitchers
This is where the organization has its most and least depth. For the starters, the depth does not go very far. While Joe Musgrove and Griffin Canning work their way back from surgical rehab, the Padres will have to rely on Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Randy Vasquez and the two pitchers who win the spring battle for the rotation.
At this point, it seems likely that Walker Buehler and Germán Márquez will be those two pitchers. Buehler has been very good and easily gets the fourth spot. Márquez has been up and down but really excelled in his start on Tuesday, completing five innings with nine strikeouts and allowing three runs, including two home runs. He commanded his knuckle-curve exceptionally well and his velocity on his fastball was up to 95 mph at times.
They both have one more Cactus League start before the season begins.
The rest of the depth is shaky with Musgrove and Canning unavailable. Triston McKenzie is wild but has exceptional velocity on his fastball. He is a project and will need more time. JP Sears is a workhorse but with very unreliable command up to this point. Marco Gonzales hasn’t fooled anyone and needs pinpoint command as his fastball tops out in the low 90s.
Matt Waldron pitched two innings on Tuesday versus the Seattle Mariners, showing increased velocity on his fastball (up to 95 mph) and good use of his off-speed, including his knuckleball. He will start on the IL and be built up to starter status. Unfortunately, he is out of options and has to be promoted to the Padres or they will lose him.
The minor leagues otherwise have lefty Jackson Wolf, who has pitched very well this spring but is not on the roster. Miguel Mendez is on the roster but still has command issues to work out in the minors.
The emergency option would be to deploy either Kyle Hart or Logan Gillaspie, both of whom are being used as “bridge” pitchers currently. Gillaspie is not on the roster and is out of options. Hart is a lefty who has pitched very well, so well that his ERA is still 0.00 after 11.2 innings pitched.
This is the area of most concern for the organization. When everyone is healthy, there will be a logjam with both Buehler and Márquez being veterans with opt-outs and/or no options. Baseball has a way of working these issues out and injuries always figure into these situations. You can never have too many starters but keeping them all on the team could be a challenge.
Bullpen depth
The bullpen, on the other hand, is the biggest strength on this team. There will be very good pitchers who don’t make this roster, probably more than one.
The for sure choices?
Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, Wandy Peralta and some combination of Kyle Hart, Ron Marinaccio or Logan Gillaspie as the long/bridge pitchers. Marinaccio is out of options and Gillaspie is not on the roster.
It appears Jason Adam and Yuki Matsui will begin the season on the IL to recover/rehab from their injuries. The options to fill out the bullpen are David Morgan, Bradgley Rodriquez, Alek Jacob and Ty Adcock. Adcock just came back from an oblique injury and the team announced Tuesday he was optioned to El Paso.
If they keep Marinaccio and Gillaspie, not wanting to lose major league quality arms, then both have to be on the roster and can’t be sent to the minors. But Hart is the only lefty besides Peralta, and Matsui is down until he recovers from his groin strain.
If there are no trades then the bullpen has room for Hart and one other, besides Gillaspie and Marinaccio. That means either Morgan or Rodriquez break with the team, but not both.
When Matsui and Adam are ready, there are more decisions to be made and losing pitchers without options remains a real possibility.
Having too much pitching should never be complained about. Preller and his team will have lots of decisions to make before March 26. The roster has to be set that morning. Those final cuts could be painful.
The upside of all this is that the depth of this team is the best we have seen for years. After depleting the minor league system over the past three to four years, Preller made some great moves this offseason to bolster the minor league options while adding to the major league team.
The competition is still on and the final decisions will prove to be difficult.
Jan 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) brings the ball up court against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
When Deuce McBride initially underwent surgery to repair what is commonly known as a sports hernia, the big question was whether he was going to be ready for the playoffs. Many fans cosplayed, to the best of their abilities, as a detective, searching timelines for the injury online.
But with so few updates and the Knicks generally being quiet about injuries, many were unsure, and borderline concerned, about if the pivotal backup guard would be ready for the highly anticipated playoffs.
While we still don’t have a concrete timetable, reports surfaced Tuesday night that McBride has returned to doing on-court work and has also started taking contact.
This isn’t a guarantee that he’ll be back in the regular season, but with about a month to go before the playoffs, the fact that he’s progressing well seems like signs are pointing towards a pre-playoff return.
Mike Brown said Miles McBride has progressed to taking contact in his rehab from sports hernia surgery. The Knicks say McBride is doing on-court work, taking contact and progressing well. No reason at this point to think McBride won't be fully ready for the postseason.
Mike Brown shared his own take on Deuce’s status before the win over the Pacers on Tuesday, without revealing much and stopping short of issuing comeback timelines.
“I try not to hear the updates though, because does that mean he’ll be back in two weeks? Three weeks? A week? 10 days? I don’t know.
“Deuce was playing well for us when this happened. It’s part of the season, so keep fingers crossed, allow our medical crew who has done a fantastic job, and when he comes back we’ll all be excited.” — Mike Brown
It still won’t give him too many games to get back in rhythm, but considering there was uncertainty surrounding his availability for a first-round series just a month ago, this has to be encouraging for McBride, the Knicks, and their fans.
If he can indeed be back for the playoffs, and the Knicks maintain their current health, it could be the healthiest they’ve entered the playoffs in some time. With a new coach, a revamped bench, and health on their side, New York could be poised for a deep run. But to do so, they’ll need McBride to not just be back, but close to the elite role player he was prior to the injury.
Thankfully, the updates suggest he’ll have some time to get back there.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 06: Pitcher Sam Moll #50 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning of a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 06, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The knowns about the Cincinnati Reds pitching staff for next week’s Opening Day game against the Boston Red Sox are, for now, the following:
Andrew Abbott is the scheduled starter for Opening Day, and he’ll be backed by Nick Lodolo and Brady Singer
With Hunter Greene on the shelf following elbow surgery, each of Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson have made the Opening Day roster – that’s six starters who’ll work through five roles
Only seven true bullpen roles remain open, and lefty Caleb Ferguson will miss the start of the season with his own injury issues
Based on contracts and easy assumptions, each of Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Pierce Johnson, and Brock Burke are locks to form the bulk of the bullpen on Opening Day, and we learned yesterday that Connor Phillips has earned a spot on it, too. That leaves just one open spot in the bullpen, and MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relayed on Tuesday that both Kyle Nicolas and Hagen Danner are now out of the running for it.
Sam Moll, who is out of options, is likely the leader in the clubhouse for the final spot, as he’s a perfect situational lefty that will help ease the pain of losing Ferguson. Williamson and Burke are the other two lefties already on the staff with yet-to-be-defined roles, but Williamson will get treated more like a starter and Burke’s lack of platoon splits means he’ll be used more like a traditional reliever (and face plenty of righties). Zach Maxwell and Luis Mey are still in the hunt, in theory, but their ownership of options means they’ll likely begin at AAA and be the first wave of support should something go awry.
That’s more or less the story with Hagen Danner, who pitched brilliantly this spring. He’s not on the roster and out of options should the Reds ever choose to add him, so the risk of losing him on waivers is heightened. He’s going to get his chance this year at some point unless the wheels fall off, but the Reds are going to simply be much more strategic about when they begin the administrative tightrope of promoting him.
Nicolas, on the other hand, is simply behind schedule. The early March deal that brought him in from the Pirates organization came when he was already at World Baseball Classic duties with Team Italy, and he simply didn’t get enough game action while at the WBC to be 100% ready to begin a big league season next week. Cincinnati clearly has high hopes for him after dealing Tyler Callihan to acquire him, but they’ll use an option on him and let him build up both in Arizona and potentially AAA Louisville before he joins the mix.
What’s clear here is that the Reds certainly expect that they’ll need a ton more than 13 pitchers this season – last year, 28 different pitchers threw in games for the Reds. These moves are the best combination of getting the best possible group for Opening Day while also baking in the most depth to get them through 162 regular season games (and beyond, hopefully). You can never have too much pitching depth, and that’s what helped fuel these moves today.
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 06: Jose Quintana #62 of Team Colombia pitches against against Team Puerto Rico during the first inning at Hiram Bithorn Stadium on March 06, 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s no World Baseball Classic championship game, but the Colorado Rockies are back in action this afternoon. The Rockies are putting tires to the road and heading to Goodyear, Arizona for a match-up against a split squad Cincinnati Reds.
Veteran lefty and off-season acquisition Jose Quintana will be making his third start of camp for the Rockies. After a quick single inning taste before the World Baseball Classic and strong work on the mound for Colombia during the tournament, Quintana struggled in his return to Rockies camp against the Texas Rangers last week. In 3 1/3 innings he allowed five earned runs on four hits and struggled with his command. He walked six batters and hit one, though he also tallied five strikeouts.
Much like his other veteran teammates, it’s difficult to read too much into these performances during the spring. Quintana is likely tinkering with grips and mechanics as we near ever closer to Opening Day and his spot in the rotation is essentially secured.
Starting for the Red Legs is the right-handed Brady Singer, coming off a four inning shutout appearance against the Giants last week. Singer is a high extension pitcher with a one-two punch slider and sweeper combo to back up his low 90s sinker. He also throws a cutter and a four-seam fastball.
First Pitch: 2:05 PM MDT
TV: Reds.tv
Radio: Reds Radio WSAI 1360
Lineups:
Update: Tyler Freeman (back tightness) has been scratched from today’s lineup. Jake McCarthy will start in left field while Cole Carrigg will bat second and play center field.
The 2026 MLB rookie crop is deep, offering a little bit of everything for fantasy managers, with several bankable fantasy prospects looking like favorites to break camp with their respective teams.
Even some of those who won’t break camp will offer significant value to fantasy squads in 2026.
Since playing time has a huge impact on our rankings, the rookies appearing on this list are players we believe will have greater opportunities to produce and even end up on the opening-day roster with prominent roles for their respective clubs.
In order of projected fantasy impact, here are this year’s top 15 most impactful rookies:
Top 2026 MLB rookies for fantasy baseball
1. 1B/3B Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds. Stewart made his MLB debut last September, slashing .255/.293/.545 with five home runs in 55 at-bats. This line came after he slugged 20 homers and hit 34 doubles across upper-level affiliates. Stewart, 22, had his breakout season fueled by higher hard-contact rates and a willingness to sit middle-in to slug pitches over the left-field fence without compromising his natural, opposite-field gap approach. He should produce more of the same, likely as the Reds starting first baseman.
2. SS Konnor Griffin, Pittsburgh Pirates. A loud 2025 season, across three levels, propelled the 19-year-old to the top spot on nearly every prospect list this winter. The ninth overall pick from the 2024 draft, Griffin destroyed minor league pitching in his debut, slashing .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases. Griffin’s hit, power and speed tools should carry him to impactful production in most fantasy formats.
3. RHP Nolan McLean, New York Mets. A former two-way player, McLean, 24, dazzled in his late-season big-league debut in 2025. In 48 innings, McLean went 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA, 1.042 WHIP and 57 strikeouts. Not bad for someone who became a full-time pitcher in June 2024. McLean throws a kitchen sink assortment of pitches, relying more on overall stuff and movement than precise command.
4. OF Justin Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies. Crawford, the son of former MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, posted his best season in the minors last season in Class AAA, slashing .334/.411/.452 with seven homers and 46 steals. The 22-year-old improved his ability to elevate the ball, though he’ll still likely turn in high ground-ball rates. Defense and speed are his carrying tools. With likely a solid average, Crawford’s ability to swipe bases will sustain high fantasy value.
5. 1B/3B Munetaka Murakami, Chicago White Sox. The White Sox signed Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contact after a successful career in Japan. A slugger by trade, the 26-year-old is known for his pristine plate discipline, his exceptional hard contact rates and his dismal contact rates. Despite struggling with injuries in 2025, Murakami still slugged 22 home runs in 56 games with the Yakult Swallows. A third baseman in Japan, he is slated to be Chicago’s opening-day starter at first.
6. RHP Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates. Like McLean, Chandler is a former two-way player, who committed full time to pitching after the 2022 season. The 23-year-old had an up-and-down season in Triple-A before a late-season promotion to Pittsburgh. He left his struggles with command in the minors and proved his stuff, especially his high-riding fastball, against big-league competition.
7. OF Chase DeLauter, Cleveland Guardians. DeLauter has the tools to be a significant fantasy producer. The 24-year-old has been a fixture on the injured list, dating to before he was a first-round pick in the 2022 draft. When he’s on the field, he has dominated. In 138 career minor league games, DeLauter slashed .302/.384/.504 with 20 homers and 40 doubles.
8. 2B/SS JJ Wetherholt, St. Louis Cardinals. The seventh pick in the 2024 draft, Wetherholt has a tremendously high floor. The 23-year-old is known for his double-plus hit tool, which overshadows the rest of his toolshed. Last year, Wetherholt slashed .306/.421/.510 with 17 home runs, 23 steals, and nearly as many walks as strikeouts (72 BB,73 SO). The sneaky power and sneaky speed should play right away.
9. 3B Kazuma Okamoto, Toronto Blue Jays. The 30-year-old Okamoto, like Murakami, is not really a prospect, though he’s an MLB rookie, having come over from Japan. With the Yomiuri Giants last year, he slashed .327/.416/.598 with 15 homers in an injury-shortened season. Power production likely doesn’t follow Okamoto to the big leagues, but the hit and on-base tools should play.
10. OF Dylan Beavers, Baltimore Orioles. Beavers enjoyed a breakout 2025, mostly spent at Triple-A before a late-season promotion took him to Baltimore. The 24-year-old slashed .304/.420/.515 with 18 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 94 games. Beavers’ ability to get on base is his calling card but his double-plus speed doesn’t carry exceptional stolen base skills. His average power should play in the big leagues.
11. SS Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers. McGonigle’s hit tool is exceptional, which carries his profile, but don’t sleep on his power, which is plus. In 88 games, McGonigle slashed .372/.462/.648 with 19 home runs, walking 59 times and only striking out 46 times. The 21-year-old has struggled with injuries the last three seasons and has yet to appear in 100 games.
12. OF Carson Benge, New York Mets. The Mets drafted the former two-way player in the first round in 2024. Benge, 23, had a stellar season, showing the ability to work the gaps. In 116 games across three levels, Benge hit .281/.385/.472 with 15 homers and 22 steals.
13. C Carter Jensen, Kansas City Royals. Jensen is an offense-first backstop who rode loud contact rates to his big-league debut in 2025. The 22-year-old hit .290/.377/.501 with 20 home runs across upper-level affiliates and continued to show on-base skills and power during his MLB debut. He and Salvador Perez likely split reps between DH and catcher in 2026.
14. C Samuel Basallo, Baltimore Orioles. The 21-year-old Basallo was overmatched during a late-season big-league call-up after bullying minor league pitching. It’s a double-plus power tool, fueled by exceptional bat speed and feel for barrel. Basallo is still figuring out launch angles though. The hit tool fuels batting average with a chance for more.
15. RHP Trey Yesavage, Toronto Blue Jays. The unexpected hero of Toronto’s American League championship run, Yesavage, 22, will be splitting innings with one of the deepest rotations in baseball. His split finger is a true double-plus offering, especially when commanding his flat-angled fastball. Even the slider is capable of getting whiffs.
Chris Blessing writes about minor league prospects for Baseball HQ. For more in-depth fantasy baseball stats and analysis subscribe to BaseballHQ.com.
Lakers
Rockets
