As Spring Training continues, here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on throughout the day:
1. Gray awaits MRI results:
The Cardinals are dealing with an injury scare regarding their top free agent addition this winter after right-hander Sonny Gray exited yesterday’s game mid-at bat with right hamstring tightness. The 34-year-old veteran underwent an MRI yesterday evening, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, with more information on the severity of Gray’s injury likely to be made available sometime today. Gray’s dealt with hamstring issues in his right leg previously, including a three-week trip to the injured list with the Twins early in 2022 season.
St. Louis landed Gray on a three-year, $75MM deal to lead their starting rotation after the righty posted a 2.79 ERA in 32 starts with Minnesota last year, en route to a second-place finish in AL Cy Young award voting. The veteran was the club’s marquee free agent signing this winter and the most significant addition to a rotation that posted a bottom-five ERA in the majors last year. Without Gray at the front of the staff, the Cardinals would figure to enter the season with internal veterans Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz at the front of the rotation, with veteran bounce-back candidates Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn bringing up the middle and the fifth starter spot likely to go to a younger arm such as Matthew Liberatore or Zack Thompson.
2. Ohtani to face the Angels:
The Spring Training edition of the Freeway Series is set to take place today, with Angels right-hander Chase Silseth set to take on Dodgers youngster Bobby Miller starting at 7:05pm CT. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince) recently that superstar Shohei Ohtani will be in the lineup today against his former team. Ohtani is also expected to be in the lineup for tomorrow’s game against the White Sox. That’ll mark his first back-to-back appearances with the Dodgers as the club gears up for the start of its regular season on March 20 against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea. Ohtani has wasted no time in making an impression with Dodgers fans this spring, having picked up five hits and two walks in nine trips to the plate so far this spring, including a home run and a triple.
3. MLBTR Chat today:
While teams around the league are already participating in Cactus and Grapefruit League games, a handful of the winter’s top free agents remain unsigned and plenty of offseason shopping lists around the league remain unfulfilled. Are you wondering if there’s more in store for your team with Opening Day just a few short weeks away? If so, tune in this afternoon when MLBTR’s Steve Adams hosts a live chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after its completed.
Why is he even holding a bat? Pitch & sit down. That’s his job- enough with the pitchers hitting. Oh- except ShoTime, swing away…
Mid at bat means he didn’t finish pitching to the batter
178iq and he types that comment???
Hot take:
Since Spring Training tickets now cost what regular season tickets cost, there should be a rebate program based on who was in the game and what happened. For example:
-A 15% refund for Sonny Gay not being in shape and getting hurt in his second spring training outing
-A 20% discount (if this happened) if Arenado, Goldschmidt, Contreras, Walker weren’t in the game because they had a 1 PM tee time
And so on
Gray worked super hard in the off-season. Injuries happen, even for those who train well!
Why does it matter if Ohtani’s facing the Angels? Should be out there every single day playing and practicing 24/7. No rest for real champions.
Should also be paying taxes.
@Joirgro 2
He is paying it on $2M per year. How do you tax money that hasn’t been paid yet?
Ohtani may have five hits and two walks including a HR and a triple, but he’s also struck out once so I’m lowering expectations
@Nick Deeds
For future reference, only games played at the Angels and Dodgers home ballparks (along the 5 Freeway in California) are considered Freeway Series games. In Spring Training, those are usually the last few games before Opening Day. This year is a little different because of the Dodgers opening the season in South Korea on March 20th, but the actual Spring Training Freeway Series will still be the last 3 Spring Training games for both teams, played at Dodger Stadium on March 24th-25th, then Angel Stadium on March 26th.
Technically, today’s game is just a Spring Training game between the Angels and Dodgers.
It literally says the Spring Training edition of the Freeway Series
Being technically correct wins you a Mo Prize.