Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:
1. Spring Training games begin:
Baseball games are officially back today! Five games between MLB clubs are on the docket, starting with the Yankees and Orioles at 1:05pm local time. Later in the afternoon, the Royals and Rangers, Cubs and White Sox, Diamondbacks and Rockies, as well as the Padres and Mariners will all face off. Trevor Rogers, Jameson Taillon, and Stephen Kolek are among the names making their 2026 debuts today. Meanwhile, the Grapefruit League in Florida will also play host to a pair of exhibition games; the Red Sox take on Northeastern University at 1:05pm, and the Twins take on the University of Minnesota at 6:05pm local time (5:05pm in Minnesota).
2. Westburg update incoming:
Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg has been sidelined in camp so far, first due to an oblique strain but now also due to a possible elbow injury. Westburg was recently sent for imaging on his ailing elbow. President of baseball operations Mike Elias is scheduled to meet with the media at 9:50am ET, per MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko, and will likely provide an update on his third baseman. Westburg, an All-Star in 2024, has hit an impressive .265/.312/.470 over the past two years but has been limited to just 192 games by a variety of injuries. Significant missed time for Westburg could mean Coby Mayo getting another shot at regular playing time as a third baseman.
3. Rays send Uceta for imaging:
Elsewhere in the AL East, the Rays are dealing with an injury scare of their own. Right-hander Edwin Uceta is headed for imaging on what the club has described as a “cranky” right shoulder that has continued to cause him discomfort. An update on Uceta’s status seems likely over the next couple of days, but it would be a tough pill for Tampa to swallow if the righty is set to miss significant time. Uceta has a 2.98 ERA with an identical FIP in 100 appearances over the past two seasons, and was among the top candidates to replace Pete Fairbanks in the ninth inning in 2026. Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger would see even more high-leverage work if Uceta is out for any period. And, while Cleavinger has seen his name pop up in trade rumors, that could come to a halt if Uceta is diagnosed with a serious injury.
Hopefully that is a preplanned meeting with the media. Otherwise, if it was scheduled after he was sent for imaging, it is likely not good news incoming. I wish Westburg could stay on the field, the team and lineup performs better with him in it.
Let the games begin!
Partial UCL tear. Not going the surgery route. Getting a PRP injection and out for at least all of April.
Yeah I just saw. Damn.
Didn’t Ohtani DH while rehabbing his arm from TJ or a brace procedure?
Maybe, by the end of April, if the PRP isn’t effective, he should just get surgery immediately and attempt to follow the DH path Ohtani took. Obviously Jordan is not the player Ohtani is but the Orioles lineup performs well when he is slotted in there. The DH spot is also very full right now in Baltimore, so that is an obstacle but still an idea to keep as an option.
Actual baseball is being played!
Finally!
I am ready for baseball.
MLBTV ! It’s been a long winter in Detroit. GO TIGERS !