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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
LHP Colton Gordon is set to make his third appearance of the spring for the Houston Astros in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Baltimore Orioles. Gordon is coming off a productive rookie season in 2025, where he recorded a 5.34 ERA (51ER/86IP) in 20 games, including 14 starts. He ranked first among AL rookies in walks per nine innings (1.99) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.79).
RHP Shane Baz is scheduled to take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles in Wednesday's Grapefruit League action against the Houston Astros. Acquired from the Rays this offseason, Baz looks to rebound after a challenging 2025 season where he posted a 4.87 ERA in 31 starts. Orioles GM Mike Elias sees Baz, praised for his 'five plus pitches,' as a potential front-end starter. Projections for 2026 from ZiPS and Baseball Reference estimate his ERA around 4.27-4.29.
Right-hander Jack Neely, a 25-year-old camp arm for the Chicago Cubs, is vying for a spot in the MLB bullpen. Acquired from the Yankees, Neely possesses a live arm but struggles with walks. In his MLB career, he holds a 4.85 ERA over 10 games (9.1 innings), with 15 strikeouts and 6 walks. He throws a mid-90s fastball and an 85 mph slider, with projections suggesting he could reach the majors this year.
Washington Nationals catcher Harry Ford hit a home run and recorded three hits in Great Britain's first World Baseball Classic tune-up game yesterday. Ford, co-captain of Team Great Britain, is known for elevating his play in international competition, having hit two homers in the 2023 WBC. His strong performance comes as he battles Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas for an Opening Day roster spot with the Nationals, with a big WBC potentially solidifying his case for the starting job.
Jonathan Pintaro, a 24-year-old right-hander, is on the Mets' 40-man roster after a journey from undrafted D2 player to the Pioneer League, signed by the Mets in 2024. He made his MLB debut in 2025, allowing two runs in 0.2 innings, and spent most of the season in Triple-A Syracuse (5.27 ERA). Pintaro, who throws a mid-90s fastball, cutter, sinker, changeup, and slider, has an outside shot at the major league bullpen this spring but is likely to start the year in Triple-A.
Juan Soto is a compelling choice for World Baseball Classic MVP at +2800 odds, with the Dominican Republic (+450) seen as a valuable bet to win the tournament. Soto, along with other MVP candidates like Manny Machado and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., form a lineup that rivals the favored Team USA. The D.R.'s strong lineup and bullpen could carry them to victory.
Brandon Nimmo makes his Texas Rangers debut against the Brazil WBC team in a spring training matchup. Jacob deGrom is also making his first start of the spring. The Rangers lineup for the game is listed.
J.P. Crawford is back from a shoulder injury for the Seattle Mariners, though the team is closely monitoring his situation. The news comes as Jurickson Profar and Johan Rojas face PED suspensions in the NL East.
Eduardo Valencia experienced an offensive breakout in 2025, hitting 24 home runs with a 159 wRC+ split between Double and Triple-A. While his bat-first profile is intriguing, his defensive limitations at catcher may push him to first base or DH. The Tigers added him to the 40-man roster, and his continued development could impact Spencer Torkelson's playing time.
Nick Morabito, a speedy outfielder drafted by the Mets in 2022, is nearing an MLB debut. Despite a .291/.381/.389 career slash line and averaging 42 stolen bases per season, his groundball tendencies and increasing strikeout rate have tempered prospect rankings. His defense and speed offer a high floor, and he was added to the 40-man roster.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has reportedly failed a PEDs test and is appealing the decision. If the appeal fails, Rojas may be suspended until June and ineligible for the playoffs, significantly impacting the Phillies' outfield situation. The team must now consider alternatives for his playing time. He was also mentioned in a Mariners news roundup regarding PED suspensions.
LHP Nate Lavender has been reassigned to minor league camp by the Mets. After being a Rule 5 pick by the Rays last offseason, he missed all of 2025 due to internal brace surgery and was returned to the Mets this winter. Lavender, 26, hasn't pitched in nearly two seasons but posted a 2.98 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 35 appearances in 2023. He will start the year with Triple-A Syracuse, aiming to regain form and health for a potential Mets bullpen role.
Caleb Hamilton, a career minor leaguer, had a brief stint with the Minnesota Twins in 2022. His MLB career consisted of 22 plate appearances without a hit until September 25, 2022, when he hit a home run against the Los Angeles Angels. This was the only hit of his career before he was waived and later played for the Boston Red Sox and signed with the Angels, ending his playing career in 2024.
With infield injuries to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg, the Baltimore Orioles are experimenting with Coby Mayo at third base for the 2026 season. Doubts exist about his ability to handle the position at MLB level due to his height, but it's a necessary move given the circumstances. His primary alternative, first base, is occupied by Pete Alonso.
LHP Foster Griffin, signed to a 1-year, $5.5M deal by the Washington Nationals, will make his first spring start against Team Venezuela. After three dominant years in Japan's NPB, Griffin brings a deep pitch mix and improved command, though his fastball velocity is a question. He aims to be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter.
Jackson Holliday of the Baltimore Orioles will start swinging a bat with both hands on Thursday, progressing in his recovery from a surgically repaired right hand. He also resumed throwing last week. Holliday is expected to begin the season on the 10-day injured list, but his recovery trajectory suggests a brief absence.
Connelly Early and Payton Tolle of the Boston Red Sox are expected to start the season in Worcester due to service time manipulation rules designed to gain an extra year of team control in 2032. Despite potential talent, injuries or contract agreements are the most likely paths for them to reach the majors. The bloated playoff field devalues the regular season, contributing to this strategy.
Connelly Early and Payton Tolle of the Boston Red Sox are expected to start the season in Worcester due to service time manipulation rules designed to gain an extra year of team control in 2032. Despite potential talent, injuries or contract agreements are the most likely paths for them to reach the majors. The bloated playoff field devalues the regular season, contributing to this strategy.
Milwaukee Brewers RHP Jacob Misiorowski made his first spring start, allowing one earned run over 2.0 innings against the British national team. He gave up two hits, struck out five, and walked one, throwing 38 pitches and hitting 99.9 mph with his fastball. Misiorowski is set to enter the season with a starting rotation spot and could get the Opening Day nod with Brandon Woodruff and Quinn Priester currently behind schedule.
New York Yankees RHP Clarke Schmidt is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, an internal brace procedure he underwent last July. He is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2026 campaign, with a likely return in the second half of the season. Schmidt posted a 2.85 ERA in 2024 and a 3.32 ERA in 2025 before his injury. His health remains a primary concern, but he could begin throwing bullpen sessions soon and face hitters in the coming months.
