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