The Opener

With another Opening Day in the books, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on throughout the weekend:

1. Will Contreras miss time?

New Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras is suffering from a knee contusion after getting hit with a Jordan Hicks fastball. Contreras left the game afterwards, and Katie Woo of The Athletic notes that while x-rays came back negative, Contreras was set to undergo further imaging last night. We could have more information on his status as soon as today, though it’s also possible we won’t hear anything until tomorrow given today’s day off for the club. Should the Cardinals’ marquee free agent signing of the offseason miss time, Andrew Knizner figures to split time with either Ivan Herrera or Tres Barrera behind the plate.

2. Several MLB debuts this weekend.

After the likes of Anthony Volpe, Jordan Walker, Oscar Colas and Brice Turang made their MLB debuts in the first game of their club’s season yesterday, several talents on Opening Day rosters have still yet to make their MLB debut. Among them are A’s righty Shintaro Fujinami, who’s slated to start Saturday’s game against the Angels, plus a trio of hurlers who are slated for Sunday starts: Mets righty Kodai Senga, Braves lefty Jared Shuster and Yankees righty Jhony Brito. Senga’s start, in particular, figures to draw plenty of eyes, given the high-profile contract he inked this winter (five years, $75MM) and the pair of injuries the Mets are already facing in the rotation. Beyond that group of debuts, Tigers fans will get to welcome back right-hander Spencer Turnbull on Saturday, when he makes his first big league start since June 4, 2021. Turnbull underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2021 and missed the entire 2022 season.

3. Offseason in Review

MLBTR’s Offseason in Review series continues today, with the Twins installment of the series set to release early today. A pair of live chats are planned for today as well: at noon CT, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be hosting a Giants-centric live chat in conjunction with yesterday’s San Francisco installment of the series. You can click here to ask a question in advance, participate live when the chat begins, or read the transcript afterward. Additionally, a Twins-centric live chat is also planned for today at 2pm CT to go along with today’s post. Here’s a link to ask a question in advance, participate live and read the transcript after it’s complete.

Happy Opening Day from MLBTR! Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world as the 2023 season kicks off:

1. Opening Day is here!

As previously mentioned, the 2023 MLB season is set to begin today. Games kick off at 12:05pm CT today with the Giants visiting the Yankees and the Braves visiting the Nationals. All 30 clubs will play today, with Diamondbacks at Dodgers and Guardians at Mariners wrapping up the day at 9:10pm CT. While there’s exciting pitching matchups littered all throughout today’s games, two in particular stand out: Jacob deGrom is set to make his first start as a Ranger, taking on the Phillies and Aaron Nola at 3:05pm CT this afternoon, and reigning NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara and his Marlins will take on future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer and the Mets at 3:10pm CT. Click here for more information on today’s games.

2. Will the Pirates get a Reynolds deal done?

The Pirates and Bryan Reynolds had reportedly made some progress toward an extension late last night, and today’s looming season opener is said to be a deadline for those talks. Hurdles apparently remain, however. Any deal would likely have to be the new largest in Pirates history, surpassing Ke’Bryan Hayes’s eight-year, $70MM extension that currently stands as the club’s record contract. With a matter of hours left until the agreed upon deadline for extension discussions, will the sides manage to reach an agreement?

3. Offseason In Review series continues

MLBTR’s Offseason in Review series continues today, with a Rockies-centric live chat by MLBTR’s Anthony Franco planned for this morning at 10am CT to go along with the latest installment of the series. You can click here to submit a question in advance, participate live when the chat begins, or read the transcript once it’s complete. In addition to Anthony’s chat, be sure to check back throughout the day for the Giants installment of the series, which should be available later today.

On the eve of Opening Day, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Last-minute roster maneuvering:

With Opening Day rosters due tomorrow morning, there’s sure to be a handful of last minute transactions and GMs around baseball prepare for the start of the season. Many teams have non-roster invitees who need to be added to the 40-man roster, whether they are veteran minor-league signings such as Raimel Tapia, who the Red Sox are set to select, or rookies such as Corey Julks and Cesar Salazar, who are set to be selected by the Astros. The Athletics are exploring trade scenarios involving out-of-options center fielder Cristian Pache. Minor trades to clear space on 40-man rosters are also possible, similar to Monday’s deal that sent utilityman Zack McKinstry from the Cubs to the Tigers.

2. Will the Guardians get more extensions done?

Yesterday, the Guardians agreed to a seven-year extension that will keep second baseman Andres Gimenez in Cleveland long term. Even after laying out nine figures to lock up Gimenez, reports indicate Cleveland may still not be done. The club already appears to be approaching an extension with reliever Trevor Stephan, who posted a sterling 2.69 ERA (143 ERA+) with an even better 2.19 FIP in 63 2/3 innings last season. The club also reportedly held some talks with outfielder Steven Kwan, right-hander Triston McKenzie, and shortstop Amed Rosario. Rosario is set to hit free agency after the 2023 campaign, while McKenzie is controllable through the end of the 2026 season and Kwan won’t hit free agency until the 2027-28 offseason.

3. MLBTR Chats today:

A pair of live chats with MLBTR readers are scheduled for today: MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald will be hosting a Yankees-centric chat today in conjunction with the Yankees installment of our Offseason in Review series. This link will allow you to submit a question in advance, participate live when the chat begins, or read the transcript after it’s completed. Later, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco will be hosting an evening chat with an MLB-wide focus. You can click here to submit a question in advance, participate live, or read the transcript.

With just two days until Opening Day, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Will Cleveland name a new fifth starter today?

With Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie at risk of missing as much as two months to open the season, the club will need announce a replacement in the rotation, a move that could be made as soon as today. Left-hander Konnor Pilkington, who posted a 3.88 ERA in 58 innings of work in the majors last season, could be the most logical option. Righties Hunter Gaddis and Xzavion Curry both made a pair of starts for the club in 2022 and are on the 40-man roster as well. Others on the 40-man roster include Jason Bilous and Joey Cantillo, though both have limited experience above Double-A. Chris Archer and Anibal Sanchez are among the depth starters who might be available to the Guardians on a minor league deal, but it seems unlikely that Cleveland would add a free agent at this point, as that pitcher wouldn’t be ready for Opening Day anyhow. It’s always possible that another option could present itself via waivers or a veteran opt-out, but the Guardians are known for their ability to turn out quality pitching and already have several in-house options.

2. Will Hiura and Ruf find new teams?

Yesterday, both Keston Hiura and Darin Ruf were designated for assignment by their respective teams. The two are both right-handed hitting first baseman with experience at other spots (Ruf in the outfield corners, Hiura at second base and in left field) who were late cuts from their club’s Opening Day bench mix. Hiura, 26, has youth on his side and posted a 115 wRC+ in 266 plate appearances last year, albeit with a concerning 41.7% strikeout rate. Ruf, meanwhile, had a solid track record of success with the Giants before a disastrous 29-game stint with the Mets following last year’s trade deadline. Despite their warts, both could be bench options for a team short on right-handed pop.

3. MLBTR Chats

A pair of live chats with MLBTR readers are planned for today. At 10am CT, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco is set to host a Cardinals-centric chat with readers in conjunction with St. Louis’s installment of our Offseason in Review series. You can ask a question in advance using this link, and the same link will allow you to participate live or review the transcript once the chat is complete. Meanwhile, at 1pm CT, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be hosting a live chat with an MLB-wide focus. Click here to ask a question in advance.

With just three days remaining until Opening Day, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Phillies to announce Opening Day roster

As clubs all around baseball are making their final roster decisions ahead of Opening Day, Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters, including Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, that the club plans to announce the Opening Day roster at some point today. With Matt Strahm starting the fifth game of the season in place of Ranger Suarez, much of the intrigue today seems likely to come down to which players will make the Phillies Opening Day bench. With Darick Hall assured a spot on the roster following Rhys Hoskins’s injury, there are two roster spots available for four players: Kody Clemens, Dalton Guthrie, Scott Kingery, and Jake Cave. The Phillies are also known to be interested in adding a right-handed hitting outfielder, which could boost the chances of Kingery or Guthrie should they not find an external solution.

2. Orioles making final rotation decisions

At the beginning of Spring Training, Orioles brass made clear that top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez could play his way into the Opening Day rotation this season. Now, with Opening Day on the horizon, Rodriguez appears to be one of three finalists for two rotation sots alongside Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, as noted by The Athletic’s Dan Connolly, who notes that the decision will likely come by the end of the day today. All three have struggled this spring, with ERAs well over 5.00, though Rodriguez’s 7.04 figure is the worst of the bunch. Rodriguez has struck out 26.7% of batters faced this spring while walking 9.9%. While that strikeout rate stands slightly ahead of either of his competitors, Bradish (6.0%) and especially Wells (3.0%) both outshine Rodriguez’s walk rate.

3. Will more Rule 5 picks be returned in the coming days?

Yesterday, two picks in December’s Rule 5 draft were returned to their original clubs: the Mariners returned right-hander Chris Clarke to the Cubs, while the Padres returned left-hander Jose Lopez to the Rays. The Mets returned right-hander Zach Greene to the Yankees earlier this spring, but there are still 12 players who were selected in the major league phase of the draft who could be returned to their original clubs. One of those players, Nick Avila, is not expected to break camp with the White Sox, though the club could still look to make a trade with the Giants in order to keep Avila in the organization.

Headed into the final weekend before Opening Day, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Article XX(B) veterans on minor league deals have opt-out opportunity tomorrow:

Tomorrow is the first date that Article XX(B) free agents (i.e. six-plus years of MLB service, finished the 2022 season on a Major League roster or injured list) who settled for minor league deals will have that opportunity to opt out of those contracts. A few dozen players qualify for this distinction. With the looming opt-out date on the horizon, clubs will need to make decisions on whether or not to add members of this group to their 40-man roster soon. As such, certain camp battles and Opening Day roster decisions will come into focus over the next day, in addition to the free agent market potentially receiving an influx of veteran players looking for a new opportunity. Article XX(B) free agents who do not opt out tomorrow will also have opt-out opportunities on May 1 and June 1.

2. External options for the Phillies following Hoskins’s injury:

Yesterday, first baseman Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL, requiring surgery that puts his season in danger before it even begins. The Phillies have enough depth to weather the injury, with Darick Hall standing as a suitable first baseman while Alec Bohm or Nick Castellanos could slide over to first against southpaws if the lefty-swinging Hall is utilized as a platoon player. That said, it would certainly make sense if the Phillies were interested in adding a veteran right-handed first baseman to complement Hall, who has just 41 games of MLB experience.

Currently, Miguel Sano is the only free agent that fits that profile, but tomorrow players like Yuli Gurriel and Hanser Alberto could join the free agent market as XX(B) veterans with opt outs, providing the Phillies with additional options. Perhaps the most interesting potential addition the Phillies could make, however, would be Luke Voit, the slugging first baseman who’s been in camp with the Brewers on a non-roster invite. Voit had an out clause in his contract originally scheduled for last week but agreed to push that date back until today. If the Brewers don’t add him to the 40-man roster by the end of the day, he’ll have the opportunity to opt out and could be a fit for the Phillies if he does.

3. Lynch undergoing tests:

Royals lefty Daniel Lynch exited yesterday’s game with discomfort in his left shoulder, and manager Matt Quatraro told reporters, including MLB.com’s Anne Rogers, that Lynch would undergo testing to determine the nature of the discomfort. Lynch made 27 starts for the Royals last year, posting a 5.13 ERA in 131 2/3 innings of work. With the offseason additions of Jordan Lyles and Ryan Yarbrough, Lynch did not figure to be a member of the Opening Day rotation. However, an early-spring injury to Yarbrough opened the door for Lynch to recapture a rotation spot, with Yarbrough seemingly ticketed for multi-inning relief. Should Lynch be forced to miss time, that could open the door for Yarbrough to return to the rotation, or allow fellow southpaw Kris Bubic to claim the spot rather than head to Triple-A to open the season.

With just one week remaining until Opening Day, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. WBC players return to camp

With the World Baseball Classic now in the rearview mirror, many of its late-round participants are set to return to camp today to participate in the final week of Spring Training with their MLB clubs. Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and J.T. Realmuto of the Phillies and Paul Goldschmidt and Lars Nootbaar of the Cardinals are among a few of the players who participated in the WBC final Tuesday night who have returned to camp and are expected to participate in spring games today.

2. Will any last minute extensions happen before Opening Day?

Opening Day is fast approaching, and players often look at the start of the regular season as a deadline for extension discussions. Cristian Javier, Manny Machado, and Corbin Carroll are among the players who signed extensions throughout the spring to this point, but plenty of other players have been rumored to participate in extension talks throughout the spring as well, including Josh Hader, Nico Hoerner, and Aaron Nola. The Cardinals are also known to have interest in extending some players in their starting rotation, while Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti has implied the club is looking into extending some of its young players. Of course, there’s always the possibility that an extension that hasn’t been rumored publicly is in the works as well; neither Carroll nor Keibert Ruiz were in the rumor mill much ahead of their extensions this spring, after all.

3. MLBTR Chats Today

A pair of morning live chats are on the docket today for MLBTR readers. At 9am CT, Tim Dierkes will be hosting a Cubs-centric live chat in conjunction with the Cubs edition of our Offseason in Review series. You can click here to submit a question in advance, participate live when the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat has concluded.

Then, at 10am CT, MLBTR is excited to welcome recently retired catcher Ryan Lavarnway for a live chat with readers. Lavarnway had a journeyman’s career in the big leagues, suiting up for eight major league teams across parts of ten seasons, though 97 of his 165 career games in the big leagues came as a member of the Red Sox, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2008 draft. Lavarnway ended his career with a slash line of .217/.272/.345 in the big leagues while posting a .792 OPS in 690 career games at the Triple-A Level. You can click here to submit a question for Lavarnway, participate live, or read the transcript of the chat once it has concluded.

With just eight days remaining until Opening Day, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Storybook ending to the WBC

Last night’s World Baseball Classic final proved to be an instant classic as Team Japan beat Team USA 3-2. Japan, undefeated during the tournament, jumped out to an early lead. Trea Turner’s WBC-record fifth home run and an eighth-inning bomb from Kyle Schwarber following a 10-pitch at bat against Yu Darvish made it a one-run game headed into the ninth, when Shohei Ohtani took the mound to close out the game. After a leadoff walk to Jeff McNeil, Ohtani induced a double play from Mookie Betts to bring his Angels teammate and fellow superstar Mike Trout to the plate as both the potential final out and tying run. Trout and Ohtani battled to a full count before Trout ultimately struck out swinging on a slider, giving Japan their third WBC championship.

Trout and Ohtani are both planning to play in the WBC again when it returns in 2026. “I already told [Team USA] I’m doing the next one, so I’m already in,” Trout said on FS1’s pregame show last night. “If I’m DHing, playing left field, whatever they want, I’m in, I’m in.” Ohtani, the WBC MVP, called last night’s win “the best moment in my life” and said he would “love to enter [the WBC] again.”

2. Tweaks to new rules incoming

Yesterday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters, including The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli, that adjustments to the new rules being implemented for the 2023 season were on the way ahead of Opening Day. These adjustments, which are being made at the behest of the MLBPA, are expected to be fairly minor. Even minor changes would have to be implemented very soon, as with barely a week left before Opening Day, teams and players will want as much time as possible to acclimate to any changes made. Manfred notes that the changes will be announced in the coming days, so clubs could be informed as soon as today.

3. MLBTR chats today

MLBTR’s Anthony Franco is hosting a pair of live chats with readers today. First up, at 10am CT, is a Braves-centric chat in conjunction with the Braves edition of MLBTR’s Offseason in Review series. You can click here to submit a question in advance, and that same link allows you to follow along when the chat goes live or read the transcript when it’s completed. Later today, at 5pm CT, Anthony will also be hosting his weekly live chat with an MLB-wide focus. You can click here to leave a question, participate live, or read the transcript of that chat.

With just nine days remaining until Opening Day, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. WBC Update

The World Baseball Classic final is today. After a 6-5 walk off win in the bottom of the ninth against Team Mexico, the undefeated Team Japan moves on to the final round to face Team USA. Japan, of course, sports two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, as USA counters with not only Ohtani’s teammate Mike Trout, but also Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, who leads all WBC players with four home runs in just 19 at bats. With the game set to air at 6pm CT tonight on FS1, the biggest question remaining is: Will Ohtani pitch? The team has left the answer up in the air publicly, naming lefty Shota Imanaga as the starter for tonight’s game even as Ohtani admits that it would be difficult to get warm in the bullpen while also batting in the heart of the order.

2. When will Profar be made official?

Jurickson Profar, the last top-50 free agent on the market this offseason, recently signed a one-year pact with the Rockies, though Colorado has yet to make the deal official. While the Rockies have a full 40-man roster, making the Profar signing official likely will not be impacted by that, as players such as Brendan Rodgers and Lucas Gilbreath are already ticketed for the 60-day IL. Still, with Profar expected to arrive in camp sometime this week, it seems reasonable to expect the signing to be made official in the coming days as Profar prepares to be the everyday left fielder in Colorado. The timing of the move is also notable given the simple fact that Opening Day is just over a week away. Profar got 16 plate appearances in with the Netherlands during the WBC and went 3-for-13 with a homer and three walks, but he’d still benefit from as many spring at-bats as possible.

3. MLBTR Chats Today

In conjunction with the Padres edition of our Offseason in Review series, MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald will be hosting a Padres-centric live chat with readers later today at 10am CT. You can click here to leave a question in advance, and that same link will take you to the chat when it begins or allow you to read the transcript afterwards. In addition, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be hosting his  weekly chat with an MLB-wide focus at 1pm CT. You can click here to leave a question, participate live, or read the transcript of Steve’s chat.