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Power Rankings: Who's No. 1 heading into season?

@williamfleitch
March 14, 2025

There are regular-season baseball games next week. Can you believe it? You have made it. You have earned it. A full two months have passed since our most recent power rankings, and, it’s fair to say, a lot has happened since then. So with the Tokyo Series between the Cubs

Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout

12:49 AM EDT

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”

Who is the best pitcher in baseball? Here's what players said

@bmags94
March 14, 2025

During Spring Training, MLB.com's beat reporters surveyed their clubhouses, asking players for their opinions on a range of topics. Well over 100 players participated, in exchange for anonymity. In the leadup to Opening Day, MLB.com is publishing a series of stories based on the results of that survey.

Pair of exciting pitching matchups slated for Tokyo Series

@sonjamchen
March 14, 2025

TOKYO -- The list of Japanese stars currently in the Majors is deep and the Dodgers and Cubs are leading the charge. Look no further than the mound at the legendary Tokyo Dome for next week’s Tokyo Series to open the 2025 season. Three of the four starters for the

Imanaga made all the right adjustments to excel in Majors

1:03 AM EDT

TOKYO – Shortly after Shota Imanaga arrived at Spring Training a year ago, Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy wanted to look at some video with the pitcher. It was time to revisit the home run that Imanaga surrendered to Team USA’s Trea Turner in the ‘23 World Baseball Classic. In

'The Miracle Ball'? Senga says 'let's not talk about it'

March 14, 2025

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Move over, Ghost Fork. The Miracle Ball is here. Kodai Senga debuted a new pitch -- sort of -- in the Mets’ 3-3 Grapefruit League tie with the Cardinals on Friday. The right-hander threw a looping, 63.5 mph curveball near the outer edge of the

Spring Breakout resumes today with 4 games

1:07 AM EDT

Spring Breakout has returned for the second season after debuting last year to much fanfare. The weekend began with a bang as the Rays edged the Red Sox on Thursday night with home runs coming from Boston's top three prospects and Tampa Bay's No. 1. Like last year, all 30

Cards' young fireballer draws ... Kershaw comps?

@JohnDenton555
March 14, 2025

JUPITER, Fla. -- Dating back to the first time Cardinals roving instructor Ryan Ludwick saw left-hander Quinn Mathews flash his fiery competitiveness and overpowering stuff in a 2024 live batting practice session, one very favorable comparison kept coming to mind. Clayton Kershaw -- a career 212-game winner, two-time World Series

Converted reliever Clay Holmes gets Mets' Opening Day nod

March 14, 2025

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Mets’ Opening Day starter will be a pitcher with all of four career starts to his name. Right-hander Clay Holmes will start March 27 in Houston, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced Friday, coronating a career reliever who has spent the past few months stretching

For some Dodgers, Tokyo Series first taste of 'insane' international atmosphere

@sonjamchen
March 14, 2025

This story was excerpted from Sonja Chen’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

At age 19, top prospect Walcott mature beyond his years

@kennlandry
March 14, 2025

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- In the middle of the Rangers’ clubhouse at Surprise Stadium sat two lockers side by side. In one locker sat Marcus Semien, the three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and 2021 Gold Glove Award-winning infielder. In the other was 19-year-old Sebastian Walcott, almost five inches taller than Texas’

'Just an honor': Rodón gets Opening Day nod for Yankees

March 14, 2025

TAMPA, Fla. -- Carlos Rodón will start the Yankees' season opener against the Brewers on March 27 at Yankee Stadium, manager Aaron Boone announced on Friday. Rodón inherits the assignment from ace Gerrit Cole, who will miss the 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery performed earlier this week

Who's the 'Better Man'? Mariners, Padres make Vedder Cup official

March 14, 2025

PEORIA, Ariz. -- It’s still the Vedder Cup -- only now, it’s official. For years, games between the Padres and Mariners have been informally known as “The Vedder Cup” -- a reference to Pearl Jam front man and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Eddie Vedder, a one-time resident of

De Vries, Salas show why they're top prospects at Spring Breakout

March 14, 2025

PEORIA, Ariz. -- It's been precisely one year since the Padres traded for Dylan Cease. Nearly two months later, they landed Luis Arraez. At the ensuing Trade Deadline, they made two major moves to bolster their bullpen. Naturally, those deals depleted the upper levels of their farm system. Still, the

Rays exercise Yandy's 2026 option, add vesting option for '27

March 14, 2025

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- When Yandy Díaz reported to Charlotte Sports Park for Spring Training last month, he admitted there were times during the offseason when he worried the Rays might trade him.

Gray (right wrist fracture) the latest injury in Rangers' rotation

@kennlandry
12:27 AM EDT

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- For most of Spring Training, the Rangers pitching staff had avoided any significant injuries. The last week has more than made up for it.

Reds' catching situation in flux after Stephenson, Trevino injuries

Starter out multiple weeks with oblique strain; backup exits after taking foul tip off hand
March 14, 2025

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Reds thought they had the makings of one of baseball's strongest catching duos this season. But that situation quickly became imperiled on Friday. First, the lineup was dealt a blow when the club learned that primary catcher Tyler Stephenson will be sidelined for multiple weeks with

Spring Breakout appetizer: Painter impresses in 1st live BP of camp

Phillies' top prospects take advantage of spotlight
March 14, 2025

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Before the top Phillies prospects played the top Pirates prospects in Spring Breakout, a 5-3 Philadelphia victory, on Friday afternoon at BayCare Ballpark, Andrew Painter provided a large crowd at Carpenter Complex a peek at what the summer might look like at Citizens Bank Park. Painter threw

deGrom makes up for scratched start in Minor League game

@kennlandry
March 14, 2025

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- What does a two-time Cy Young Award winner like Jacob deGrom get out of facing a group of Cleveland Minor Leaguers on March 14, less than two weeks before Opening Day?

Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start

@AlexJStumpf
March 14, 2025

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.

Nimmo talks knee soreness: 'I think Opening Day is realistic'

March 14, 2025

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Brandon Nimmo the designated hitter expects to be ready for Opening Day. Brandon Nimmo the left fielder isn’t quite as sure. A day after appearing in his first Grapefruit League game since receiving a gel injection in his sore right knee, Nimmo expressed optimism regarding

'Blast off!' Eflin's family tells him he's O's Opening Day starter

March 14, 2025

SARASOTA, Fla. -- With iPad in hand, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde instructed pitching coach Drew French to close the door to the skipper’s office on Friday afternoon and told right-hander Zach Eflin to take a seat on the black leather couch. “We have some people that want to say some

Caglianone swaps jerseys with old friend at Spring Breakout

Reunion with D-backs' Abner among highlights of Royals' prospect showdown
@anne__rogers
1:02 AM EDT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- When Royals top prospect and MLB’s No. 22 prospect Jac Caglianone stepped to the plate in the seventh inning Friday night, he saw the D-backs' outfielders take a step back. Well, maybe a few steps back. Arizona pitcher Philip Abner, watching from the dugout, thought that was

Dodgers, Cubs have rich histories of Japanese players

March 14, 2025

The next stop on MLB’s World Tour is here, and it's awfully fitting. The Dodgers and Cubs open the 2025 season in the Tokyo Series, with a pair of games at the Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19. Both clubs will showcase some of MLB’s best Japanese-born talent; the

Riley avoids serious injury after another HBP on right hand

March 14, 2025

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Austin Riley and the Braves breathed a sigh of relief on Friday, when a CT scan confirmed he didn’t suffer yet another right hand fracture. X-rays and the CT scan showed no structural damage after Riley’s right hand was hit by a Jackson Rutledge fastball in