The Opener News & Rumors

As Spring Training games continue and the World Baseball Classic looms in the distance, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Big day for the Padres

Today marks a handful of noteworthy events for the Padres. Per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to make his spring debut today as a DH. It will be Tatis’s first official game action since October 2021 after he missed the entire 2022 season with injuries and a PED suspension. That suspension will keep him out of San Diego’s lineup for the first twenty games of the regular season, though as demonstrated today, Tatis is allowed to participate in Spring Training games as he prepares to make his return. Tatis is expected to play regularly in the outfield for the Padres in 2023.

In addition to Tatis’s spring debut, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin notes that the Padres could officially announce star third baseman Manny Machado‘s extension with the club as soon as today. Cassavell also notes that yesterday’s game was the last one infielder Ha-Seong Kim will participate in with the Padres this spring until after the WBC concludes, as Kim is set to join Team Korea later today after catching a flight to South Korea last night.

2. MRIs around baseball

Clubs and fans all across baseball are anxiously awaiting the results of multiple MRIs. As mentioned in yesterday’s Opener, Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki underwent an MRI to investigate an oblique injury on Sunday, but full details were not released yesterday as initially expected. As The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney notes, Suzuki has withdrawn from the WBC, where he was previously going to represent Team Japan, and the team is expected to reveal details of the MRI and Suzuki’s path going forward at some point today.

Meanwhile, Rays ace Tyler Glasnow is set to undergo an MRI to investigate an oblique injury of his own, with Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times noting that Glasnow seems likely to miss time. Glasnow missed almost all of the 2022 season (in addition to the second half of the 2021 season) while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Also set to undergo an MRI is Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux, who had to be carted off the field yesterday with a knee injury. If Lux misses significant time, LA’s infield depth will be tested. Trade acquisition Miguel Rojas would presumably shift from a utility role to become the everyday shortstop.

3. MLBTR Chats today

MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be hosting a live chat with readers today at 1pm CT. You can submit a question in advance, and that same link will take you to the chat once it begins, or allow you to read the transcript once it’s completed. In addition to Steve’s usual live chat with readers, MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald will be hosting a Tigers-centric chat at 10am CT, to go along with yesterday’s Tigers Offseason Review. You can follow this link to submit a question ahead of time, and that same link will take you to the chat once it’s live and allow you to read the transcript after it wraps up.

With spring baseball now in full swing, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Suzuki injury update today

Following multiple reports (including from MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian) that Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki underwent an MRI yesterday to examine an oblique issue that has kept him out of the lineup in Cactus League play so far this spring, more details on the injury and Suzuki’s situation going forward are expected sometime today. Aside from being the everyday right fielder and one of the most important bats on the north side of Chicago, Suzuki is also currently slated to partake in the World Baseball Classic, suiting up for Japan. Any injury of significance the MRI reveals would likely endanger Suzuki’s participation in the WBC, even if he could still ultimately be expected to be ready for Opening Day. Should Suzuki miss time in the regular season, Trey Mancini and Christopher Morel seem likely to see time in the outfield, or perhaps Nelson Velazquez could get an extended run in the outfield after debuting in 2022.

2. What’s going on with Yordan?

Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez is still not swinging a bat, manager Dusty Baker told reporters Sunday (including Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle). This comes nearly a week after it was reported that Alvarez was suffering from soreness in his left hand, and on the heels of a 2022 season where the slugger dealt with soreness in both hands multiple times throughout the year. Initial reports suggested that Alvarez would begin swinging the bat in the following days, but clearly that did not come to fruition.

Little information has been provided about the situation, with both Baker and Alvarez himself downplaying the issue but also repeatedly declining to get into specifics. Given the Astros have not provided a timeline for Alvarez’s return to action, it’s hard to say to what level this issue will impact the slugger’s ramp up for Opening Day. Still just 25 years old, Alvarez was among the best hitters in baseball last season. He slashed .306/.406/.613 in 2022, good for a 185 wRC+ that was second only to Aaron Judge among qualified MLB players.

3. Jazz’s debut in center

Marlins star Jazz Chisholm Jr. made his debut in center field yesterday against the Cardinals. Chisholm had spent the entirety of his career to this point as a middle infielder, but following offseason deals to bring former Twins hitter Luis Arraez and free agent infielder Jean Segura to Miami, the Marlins decided to try Chisholm in center. While unorthodox, the move is not unprecedented, as Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to move from his native shortstop to the outfield this season in deference to newly acquired Xander Bogaerts. The Mariners tried a similar switch with Dee Strange-Gordon back in 2018, which didn’t pan out well.

Chisholm will be learning to play center field on the fly throughout the spring. Should the experiment work, it’d give the Marlins a multi-year option in center — Chisholm is controllable through 2026 — after spending years trying to piece things together at the position. In 2022, they cobbled together production from Jesus Sanchez, JJ Bleday, and Bryan De La Cruz, each of whom is better suited for an outfield corner. Bleday has since been traded to the A’s.

As we celebrate the return of baseball, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on today:

1. Baseball is back!

Finally, baseball games are set to return to our TV screens and radios. Just two games are on the docket today: the Rangers against the Royals at 2:05pm CT, and the Mariners against the Padres at 2:10pm CT. Left-hander Daniel Lynch is known to be starting the spring opener for the Royals, while lefty Robbie Ray takes the mound for Seattle against right-hander Nick Martinez of the Padres. Of course, given these are the first games of the spring and players are still getting stretched out, it’s likely said starts will only last an inning or two. The rest of the league will begin playing spring games over the weekend, with full slates of games on both Saturday and Sunday.

2. Are spring extensions on the way?

As is often the case during spring training, rumors regarding potential extension discussions have bubbled up across baseball in recent weeks. Most recently, rumors have indicated the Pirates and Bryan Reynolds may soon resume talks while Tim Anderson hopes to get something done to stay on the south side of Chicago. Those aren’t the only extension-related rumors percolating, however, as the Phillies have reportedly exchanged offers with the camp of ace Aaron Nola, new Astros GM Dana Brown hopes to extend more players even after signing Cristian Javier, and Brewers shortstop Willy Adames recently discussed his hopes to stay in Milwaukee long term.

3. Offseason in Review series continues

MLBTR’s annual Offseason in Review series will continue later today, as MLBTR’s Steve Adams recaps the Athletics’ winter and hosts an A’s-centric chat at 2pm CT. If you’re unable to make the chat, you can submit a question in advance. This comes on the heels of Darragh McDonald kicking off this year’s OiR series with a look back at the Pirates’ offseason yesterday. You can check out the transcript from Darragh’s Pirates chat if you missed it, and be sure to check back this afternoon for the A’s installments.

With Spring Training games set to begin tomorrow, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on throughout the day today:

1. MLBTR’s Offseason In Review Series Begins

With the offseason now mostly over, the 2022-23 installment of MLBTR’s annual “Offseason in Review” series is set to begin today. Standing as a counterpart to the “Offseason Outlook” series, MLBTR publishes a look back at the offseason, signings, trades, and transactions for each of the 30 clubs. The series kicks off today with the Pirates, and following the post going live, MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald will be hosting a Pirates-centric live chat for readers at noon CT. If you’d like to submit a question in advance for that Pirates-centric chat, you can do so here. Fans of the other 29 teams should keep an eye out for their own team’s Offseason in Review installment as we continue the series throughout the coming weeks.

2. Will the Astros look to add depth following McCullers injury?

Yesterday, it was revealed that Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. is likely to miss the start of the 2023 campaign due to a muscle strain in his right arm. While it’s currently unknown exactly how much time McCullers will miss, it does shine a light on Houston’s starting pitching depth following last summer’s trade of Jake Odorizzi and Justin Verlander‘s free-agent departure. With McCullers on the shelf, the Opening Day rotation for the Astros looks likely to be led by lefty Framber Valdez, who’ll pair with righties Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy, and top prospect Hunter Brown. It’s still an enviable group, to be sure.

Should Houston’s rotation suffer another injury, however, the depth gets a bit shakier. Righty Brandon Bielak is perhaps the best option to take a turn in the rotation, given former top prospect Forrest Whitley‘s struggles at the Triple-A level last season. It’s arguable the Astros should look to add low-cost depth this spring, be it through a minor trade or perhaps by signing a veteran like Dylan Bundy or Chris Archer to a minor league deal.

3. MLBTR Player Chat

Yesterday, MLBTR was pleased to welcome international scout and former major league pitchers Ryan Sadowski for a live chat with readers, the transcript of which you can read here. Today, our series of live chats with people around the game continues as we’re excited to welcome another former big leaguer who transitioned into a scouting career following the end of his time as a player. Brian Johnson spent parts of eight seasons as a catcher in the big leagues, from 1994 until 2001. His best season came in 1997, where he played in 101 games, slashing .261/.303/.443 (94 wRC+) while playing for both the Giants and the Tigers. Originally drafted by the Yankees, Johnson also played for the Padres, Reds, Royals, and Dodgers throughout his career. Johnson ended with 471 games played before moving on to a career in pro scouting, where he was with the Giants for all three of their World Series titles from 2010-14. Be sure to check back at 10am CT this morning for the live chat!

As we eagerly await the return of baseball games later this week, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Solano signing could be made official:

The Twins signed Donovan Solano to a major league deal yesterday, further adding to what was already a deep position player group. The signing is reportedly pending a physical and has yet to be announced. As Spring Training has kicked into gear, however, the turnaround on the signing being made official could become shorter. (For example, Elvis Andrus‘s deal with the White Sox was announced the day after being initially reported.) The Twins will need to make a corresponding 40-man roster move to officially add Solano, but with both Chris Paddack and Royce Lewis expected to miss significant time to open the season, sending either player to the 60-day IL would clear a spot without needing to designate someone for assignment. Presumably, a big league deal with the right-handed-hitting Solano will rule out a match between the Twins and formerly rumored target Yuli Gurriel.

2. Outfield market update

The outfield market has thinned further over the past week as Robbie Grossman signed with the Rangers late last week while Tyler Naquin agreed to a minor league deal with Milwaukee yesterday. Of course, Jurickson Profar remains unsigned and tops not only the outfield market, but the entire free agent market at this point in the offseason. Looking beyond Profar, though, there are few players remaining who seem like strong bets to receive major league deals at this point. Potentially interesting fliers remain on the market such as Albert Almora, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Ben Gamel, but none of those players seem clearly better than Naquin, who had to settle for a minor league deal.

3. MLBTR Live Chats

Yesterday, MLBTR welcomed former MLB hitting coach Rick Eckstein for a live chat with readers, the transcript of which you can read here. Today, we’re excited to welcome former major league pitcher and longtime international scout Ryan Sadowski, who will be conducting a live chat of his own with readers this morning. Sadowski made the big leagues in 2009 as a member of the Giants and made six starts for the club, pitching to a 4.45 ERA (97 ERA+) across 28 1/3 innings of work. Following his stint in the big leagues, Sadowski headed overseas, where he pitched in the KBO for three seasons, logging a 4.03 ERA in 460 innings abroad. Since retiring as a player, Sadowski has worked as an international scout with the KBO’s Kia Tigers and as the director of international scouting for the KBO’s Lotte Giants. Be sure to tune in later today at 10am CT for Sadowski’s live chat.

Meanwhile, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco will be conducting his own weekly chat, following yesterday’s chat with MLBTR’s Steve Adams (transcript here). Should you have any remaining unanswered questions about your favorite team or the league in general as the baseball world gears back up for the spring, you can follow this link to submit a question in advance, and that same link will take you to the chat once it begins at 5pm CT this evening.

As the return of baseball games rapidly approaches, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. All players to have reported to camp:

The last 12 clubs have set their official report date for position players today. While the vast majority of players have already had their official report dates, and many players whose official report date was today reported early, today marks the day that every player invited to major league Spring Training for in present in camp. As always on official report dates, there’s a chance previously unknown injuries are revealed regarding players reporting for the first time today. Yankees lefty Nestor Cortes, Brewers lefty Aaron Ashby, and Mariners outfielder Taylor Trammell are among the players who were revealed to be injured upon arriving in camp this spring. Spring Training games are set to begin at the end of the week.

2. Infield Market Update

So far this week, shortstop Elvis Andrus, third baseman Edwin Rios and (just this morning) first baseman Luke Voit have all signed — Andrus with the White Sox, Rios with the Cubs, and Voit with the Brewers. Though the free agent market has largely thinned out to this point, there are still a handful of interesting players available who can contribute at the big league level.

Donovan Solano has experience at both second and third base and, though he is coming off a down season, was roughly league average with the bat in 2022 (98 wRC+). Jose Iglesias has largely been just below league average with the bat for his career outside of a outlier 2020 season with the Orioles where he posted a whopping 160 wRC+ (thanks, in large part, to a .407 BABIP that far outstrips his career .307 mark), but he has long been a reliable defender up the middle and could help an infield-needy club. Moving to first base, Yuli Gurriel and Miguel Sano remain on the market. Gurriel won a batting title in 2021 but saw his production crater in 2022, his age-38 season. Sano has been wildly inconsistent in his career and spent most of ’22 on the injured list but has as much raw power as nearly anyone in baseball.

3. MLBTR Live Chats Today

Yesterday, MLBTR had the pleasure of hosting a live chat with former MLB scout Tim Kissner for readers, the transcript of which you can read here. Today, our series of live chats with people from around the game continues as we’re excited to host Rick Eckstein, a former MLB hitting coach. Eckstein was the hitting coach for the Nationals from 2009-2013, and served as the Pirates’ hitting coach for three seasons, 2019-2021. Between those stints as a hitting coach, Eckstein also spent time as a member of the Angels and Twins organizations. In addition to his time as a major league coach, Eckstein also served as an assistant coach for the University of Kentucky. Keep an eye out for Eckstein’s chat at 3:30pm central time today.

Also today, at 11am CT, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be hosting a live chat where he will field questions from readers. Be sure to stop by and ask any questions you might have about your favorite team or the larger baseball world as Spring Training gets underway and the offseason comes to a close. You can submit a question in advance, and use the same link to access the chat once it begins.

With just a few short days until Spring Training games begin, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Official report date for position players:

Today marks the official position player report date for 18 clubs. Many of those organizations will be having their first full team workouts of the spring today, and as was the case on official report dates for pitchers, there’s a chance that as players continue reporting to camp, as of yet unknown injuries reveal themselves. Of course, many players report to camp early, so several position players have been in camp for days or even weeks ahead of the official report date. The twelve clubs that don’t have their official report date for position players today have them tomorrow. Spring Training games begin later this week.

2. Cohen Press Conference

Per Tim Healey of Newsday Sports, Mets owner Steve Cohen will be holding a press conference this morning. Cohen made waves throughout the baseball world this winter as he was seemingly unbothered by the so-called “Cohen Tax” threshold of the luxury tax, blowing past the $293MM threshold in building a 2023 club with a payroll of nearly $374MM for luxury tax purposes, per RosterResource. Cohen’s willingness to spend far beyond what other owners have been willing to spend in the past appears to have been a factor in the creation of the league’s new “economic reform committee”, which has the stated goal of looking at ways to reduce revenue disparity between clubs, but could be a precursor to owners making an effort to institute a salary cap in the future.

3. MLBTR Chat with former scout Tim Kissner:

MLBTR occasionally hosts live chats where former players and other people from around the game of baseball take questions from readers. Today, we’re excited to be hosting Tim Kissner, a former scout with over two decades of experience in MLB. Kissner has been a member of the Guardians, Phillies, Cubs, and Mariners organizations during his career, and signed current big leaguers Travis d’Arnaud and perhaps most notably, Julio Rodriguez, during his time in the game. Be sure to tune in to the live chat at 10am CT to ask any questions you might have for Kissner and his wealth of experience.

With all pitchers and catchers for all 30 clubs set to report for Spring Training by the end of today, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:

1. Arbitration Hearings End Today

Arbitration hearings are set to come to a close today. Yesterday, Ji-Man Choi went to a hearing against the Pirates, according to the Associated Press. Choi’s hearing comes on the heels of decisions in favor of Luis Rengifo and Harold Ramirez, but against Ryan Helsley and Josh Rojas. Choi filed for a salary in 2023 of $5.4MM while Pittsburgh countered with $4.65MM. Choi is a free agent after the 2023 season, so the coming decision won’t have much impact on his future earnings beyond 2023. Choi joins four other players in waiting for a decision on their 2023 salary, while two final hearings are set to take place today for Cardinals lefty Genesis Cabrera and Mariners outfield Teoscar Hernandez.

2. What’s next for the lefty relief market?

Yesterday Matt Moore landed with the Angels on a one-year deal, just a few days after Andrew Chafin signed with the Diamondbacks. Even with the top two lefty relief free agents now off the board, though, there’s plenty of interesting options remaining for clubs seeking lefty relief help. Both Will Smith and Brad Hand have faced some struggles in recent years, though each still touts years of late-inning experience and encouraging recent performance. Hand enjoyed a bounce-back season with the Phillies last year following a difficult 2021 season, while Smith improved considerably down the stretch in 2022 following a trade to the Astros.

Zack Britton is another name of particular interest, given his legacy as one of the longest-standing best relievers in baseball, but injuries have held him back in recent years. Since Opening Day 2021, Britton has thrown just 19 innings with an ERA of 6.16 (72 ERA+). Britton held a January showcase for interested teams and then worked out for six specific clubs earlier this week. The teams in attendance were the Angels, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Mets, and Rangers, though with the Angels landing Moore, it’s possible their interest has waned.

3. Rays FanFest Tomorrow

The Rays are hosting Rays FanFest at Tropicana Field tomorrow. The free fan event is set to run from 11am to 3pm local time, with Rays players in attendance, games, and a stage show. The FanFest comes at the end of what was a somewhat quiet offseason for the Rays, with Zach Eflin standing as their lone major addition. Meanwhile, longtime center fielder Kevin Kiermaier departed for the division rival Blue Jays, Choi was traded to the Pirates, and Ryan Yarbrough was non-tendered. Despite minimal roster turnover, the Rays did add a bright spot to their offseason in recent weeks by agreeing to extensions with Yandy Diaz, Jeffrey Springs, and Pete Fairbanks.

After a very busy morning on the second day of Spring Training, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Arbitration Hearings Continue

Yesterday saw both Brewers ace Corbin Burnes and Royals right-hander Brady Singer lose to their clubs in arbitration hearings, giving clubs five wins over the players against three losses. Meanwhile, Angels infielder Gio Urshela, Diamondbacks infielder Josh Rojas, and Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley all had hearings yesterday, according to the Associated Press. That group joins a group of seven players waiting for a decision following their hearings, with four others still potentially waiting for a hearing ahead of tomorrow’s deadline for arbitration hearings.

Urshela filed at $10MM in his final trip through arbitration, while the Angels countered with $8.6MM. Helsley and Rojas, on the other hand, are both arbitration-eligible for the first time in 2023, meaning that despite facing smaller gaps with their respective teams, the outcome of their hearings will have a more significant impact on the duo’s future earnings than Urshela’s hearing will have on his future earnings. Helsely filed at $3MM to the Cardinals’ $2.15MM figure, while Rojas filed at $2.9MM against the D-backs’ $2.575MM.

2. Pitchers And Catchers Continue Reporting

Yesterday saw a little over half the league’s official reporting date for pitchers and catchers arrive, and after today, Spring Training will have begun for 29 of the 30 big league clubs. Guardians pitchers and catchers do not have their official reporting date until tomorrow. As players continue to filter into camp this spring, previously-unknown injury news, such as that of Frankie Montas and Taylor Trammell yesterday, is brought to light. Additionally, transfers to the 60-day injured list can begin, allowing clubs to temporarily free up space on their 40-man rosters, as the Red Sox did just this morning.

3. MLBTR Player Chat Today

Earlier this week, MLBTR hosted former Yankees pitcher Humberto Sanchez for a live chat with readers, the transcript of which you can find here. Today, MLBTR is excited to welcome former big league right-hander Deck McGuire, who will be hosting a live chat of his own with MLBTR readers later today. McGuire, the 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft, pitched for the Reds, Blue Jays, and Angels during his major league career, racking up 51 2/3 innings over the course of the 2017 and 2018 seasons with an ERA of 5.23. Since then, McGuire pitched in Asia from 2019-2021 before returning stateside for the 2022 season, during which he pitched in the minor leagues as well as the independent Atlantic League. Be sure to tune in at 10am CT today for McGuire’s chat!

With spring training now officially underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Pitchers and catchers report:

Today marks the official beginning of spring training, with over half the league’s pitchers and catchers due to report today. Today is the official report date for each of the D-backs, Cubs, White Sox, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Angels, A’s, Rangers, Red Sox, Tigers, Mets, Pirates, Cardinals, Rays and Nationals. Every team’s pitchers and catchers will need to report by the end of the week, while the reporting date for position players is early next week, though many arrive early.

2. Burnes, Singer arbitration announcements

Brewers ace Corbin Burnes went to an arbitration hearing against his club yesterday, per the AP. Burnes filed at a salary of $10.75MM while the club countered with $10.01MM. Royals right-hander Brady Singer also went to arbitration with his club, filing at $3.325MM against the team’s $2.95MM. Decisions on both cases are expected to be handed down today, with arbitration hearings and decisions set to continue all throughout the week. Both players will go through arbitration in the future, meaning this decision will have an impact on their earnings beyond the 2023 season. Singer, in particular, is set to make three more trips through arbitration as a Super Two player in his first year of eligibility. Burnes will have one more trip through arbitration next winter before reaching free agency following the 2024 campaign.

3. MLBTR Chat

Yesterday, MLBTR’s Steve Adams fielded questions during a live chat (transcript here). If you still have unanswered questions about the direction of your favorite team as Spring Training begins, you’re in luck, as MLBTR’s Anthony Franco will be hosting another chat today at 5pm CT. You can submit a question in advance here, and you can use the same link to check back in this evening and participate live once the chat begins.