On the heels of an early-morning signing, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. Pitchers and catchers continue reporting:
After a handful of teams with early report dates officially kicked off Spring Training yesterday, half of MLB’s clubs are following suit Wednesday. In Arizona’s Cactus League, the A’s, Cubs, Reds, Royals, Angels, and Padres are all reporting. There are even more clubs reporting in Florida’s Grapefruit League, as the Orioles, Tigers, Astros, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Pirates, Blue Jays, and Nationals are all officially kicking off Spring Training this morning. Edward Cabrera (Cubs), Grayson Rodriguez (Angels), Shane Baz (Orioles), Framber Valdez (Tigers), Tatsuya Imai (Astros), Freddy Peralta (Mets), and Dylan Cease (Blue Jays) are among the most notable players appearing in camp with new teams this year. As we saw throughout the day Tuesday, the opening of camp could also bring about both notable injury updates and some late-winter signings.
2. Pirates 40-man moves incoming?
The Pirates have not yet officially announced their signings of right-hander Jose Urquidy and DH Marcell Ozuna. Both of those moves could be made official as soon as today, and in doing so the Pirates will need to make a pair of 40-man moves to accommodate the new additions. Promising right-hander Jared Jones is still rehabbing from last year’s internal brace surgery and could be a 60-day IL option, depending on how that rehab process has progressed over the winter. (The team will likely have an update early in camp.) He’s the only potential 60-day IL candidate, so Pittsburgh will likely have to to designate a player for assignment or work out a trade that clears a 40-man roster spot.
3. Will injuries spur movement on the market?
Yesterday saw the Tigers reunite with future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander on a one-year deal, but the veteran’s return to Detroit was predicated at least in part on some tough news for fans in Detroit: talented right-hander Reese Olson will miss the 2026 season due to shoulder surgery. The Tigers weren’t the only team to announce a major rotation injury yesterday. The Braves will be without right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach to open the 2026 campaign after he was placed on the 60-day injured list, while Toronto will be without Shane Bieber for the start of the season (plus Bowden Francis for the entirety of it following Tommy John surgery). With prominent arms like Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt, and Lucas Giolito still available, will those clubs look to firm up their staff like the Tigers did?
Spring Training is the Warm Stove season in my mind. It’s the finishing touches to the Hot Stove Season
If DET is really going all out in Skubal’s final year, maybe they pay the price(s) and go get Gallen.
But how good is Gallen? He’s had four consecutive years of declining numbers.
I’d rather have Giolito or Bassitt and keep the draft pick
None of them really get me very excited to be fair. Gallen’s agent really gave some bad advice by not using the QO as a pillow deal to regain his value. He very well could be sitting until June.
It’s such a bummer to finally get everyone to camp and then see guys go down. ATL and DET are scrambling already.
Agree, you could be looking at three pitchers who do what they did last year–suitable for back end of rotation duty, but not worth hefty paydays or long commitments. That doesn’t make them valueless, but doesn’t offer much upside
Bob – Gio is the best of the three, but apparently teams aren’t buying his claim that he’s healthy. As they say, fool me once …
I’m not convinced Gallen really raises their rotation ceiling, unless they wanted to sign him and trade one of their other arms (not Skubal) for the offensive upgrade they sorely need.
Are you really going to sign Gallen and give up a pick unless you are really desperate? If it’s multi-year then you take performance risk. And, if you are closing in on CBT level, are you going over it for what’s left? Going to be interesting
Yeah beginning to think a 1-year deal in AZ happens?
I love baseball!
Alright! bring on the season’ can’t wait. Even being a Cardinals fan, mediocre baseball is better than no baseball. Maybe I could live vicariously through a Dodgers fan
Yearly reminder that if you show up on Day 1 hurt and end up in the IL or have surgery scheduled before you’re even supposed to report, you screwed off during the off-season instead of staying in playing shape. No exceptions. Zero excuses.
Only a sith deals in absolutes
So Bassitt, Giolito and Gallen are pretty much the only starters left on the market I believe. With all these injuries starting to pop out in Spring Training, I really doubt they’ll remain on the market much longer.
Scherzer is also still available, although it’s not clear how much he has left to give. He seemed to still have a little left in the tank last year, at times.
I wonder if the Jays might consider reuniting with either of their guys from last year after the pitching injury info. Max, in particular, might fit as a part timer/filler, and he seemed to have excellent chemistry and really positive energy in the dugout last season.
Forgot about Scherzer. Definitely could be a part-time starter for the Blue Jays. He still had some gas in the tank and the man is definitely driven to win another championship.
He mentioned not signing until later in the season. Might not be a bad idea to pick-and-choose who he signs with after a showcase.
Buehler …. Buehler ….. Buehler …..
I’m thinking that the roster crunch facing the Pirates right now leads Ben to make a trade today or tomorrow. I think Bart gets moved hopefully with another fielder. I know the Astros fans won’t like a package like Bart, Suwinski, and a prospect but that is not a bad stopgap for them.
I still think the best case scenario is working out a trade either with the Rockies for Moniak (Astros get Moniak and Bart, Rockies get prospects from the Pirates and a Nick Yorke or Billy Cook, Pirates get Paredes) or work in the Phillies to move Marsh to the Astros and the Pirates give the Phillies something they need like Harrington and another piece.
Would the Buccos be willing to take on Castellanos? Phillies have made it clear they want to dump his salary.
I wouldn’t if I were them. He’s such a poor fielder that he’s essentially a DH-only guy and we already have too many DHs. The clubhouse stuff doesn’t bother me as much cause I think he’ll be trying very hard to prove the Phillies wrong this year and go and rake somewhere else (not sure he will but he’ll be determined to).
1st move – Jared Jones to 60 day IL
2nd move – pick any 1 of: Jack Suwinski, Joey Bart, Billy Cook, Enmanuel Valdez, Cam Sanders, or Yohan Ramirez
Konnor Griffin making OD roster means jettisoning 2 off 2nd move list
easy considering the 6 listed will not be missed
The Reds have a top 5 starting rotation. Many teams want our starters.
What does that have to do with this story? I’m not saying the Reds rotation isn’t good but I don’t see how that connects? Are you staying they should trade one?
Hamate injuries seem to be spreading across training camps like virus and they’ve barely even opened
I believe the Giants’ pitchers and catchers also report today.