All articles tagged with #spring training
Austin Riley homered 419 feet and Bryce Elder threw two solid innings as Atlanta beat Pittsburgh 3-1 in Grapefruit League action. Riley’s shot capped the scoring after Drake Baldwin's quirky early triple, while Elder struck out three with no walks. Skenes struggled in his spring debut, and the Braves drew four walks off him as they used seven relievers in a breezy win. The Braves travel to Tampa to face the Yankees tomorrow.
In a Fort Myers Grapefruit League clash, home plate umpire Mitch Trzeciak saw five of his calls overturned by ABS, drawing cheers when one was upheld; the Pirates beat the Red Sox 16-7, and Wilyer Abreu briefly broke his bat on a check swing.
In a Grapefruit League game between the Pirates and Red Sox, umpire Mitch Trzeciak’s first two innings were marred by ABS reversals—three challenges overturned, including a first-pitch ball—leaving him with five consecutive calls overturned and highlighting ABS as a tool to refine umpires’ strike zones.
In a Pirates–Red Sox Grapefruit League game in Fort Myers, the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system overturned five of home-plate umpire Mitch Trzeciak’s calls before the end of the third inning, including a pitch that was ruled a ball but shown as a strike by ABS; a correct call in the fourth inning drew a cheer, illustrating how ABS will spotlight and challenge umpiring as it debuts.
During a Giants Spring Training broadcast, Jeff Kent launched into a profane reminiscence about the 1998 knee‑injury incident with Alex Rodriguez, saying Rodriguez 'slid and rolled his fat ass past the base, the son of a bitch' and that he 'tore my knee up.' The moment revived old tensions and suggested Kent could be entertaining on the mic, even as Rodriguez adds to a Hall of Fame résumé.
In Scottsdale spring training, the San Francisco Giants pulled off a one-of-a-kind 4-3-6-5 triple play against the Cubs after a smoke alarm caused chaos in the stands and a bloop single started the bizarre sequence. Robbie Ray walked two and allowed a single, yet the chaos led to an inning-ending triple play highlighted by Willy Adames tagging two runners at third and Matt Chapman tagging the final baserunner. The play is notable for starting with a base hit, something SABR notes as unprecedented; manager Tony Vitello and players call it a memorable, humorous spring moment rather than a regular-season feat.
In a spring-training game, a Cubs single morphed into a triple play due to baserunning miscues and a third-base blunder, a teachable moment as the team refines fundamentals ahead of the regular season.
An MRI on Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan showed only lower back inflammation after he was scratched from a Spring Training start, a best-case outcome that could allow a quick return and keep Opening Day available. With Pablo López out for the year, Ryan’s health is crucial to Minnesota’s rotation, and while his World Baseball Classic participation could be affected, the Twins remain hopeful he can contribute early in the season.
Elmer Rodríguez looked sharp in his Grapefruit League debut, tossing three scoreless innings with a mid-90s sinker and multiple offspeed pitches, but New York’s offense was dormant aside from Pete Alonso’s two‑run homer as the Yankees dropped their spring opener 2‑0 to Baltimore.
Spring training opens with five exhibitions today as MLB clubs return; Orioles’ Jordan Westburg is sidelined with oblique and elbow issues awaiting imaging, potentially opening more at-bats for Coby Mayo at third; Rays right-hander Edwin Uceta heads for shoulder imaging, which could affect their late-inning plans if he’s out.
Righthander Tyler Uberstine, once a high school afterthought who failed to walk on at USC, later endured an elbow injury and years in the minors, has emerged as a surprising member of the Red Sox spring training roster and will start the club's first exhibition game against Northeastern, signaling his ascent from the minors to the 40-man roster with potential early-season recall opportunities.
Spring camp notes have the Mets planning around a flexible lineup: Brett Baty is being eased back from a hamstring issue but should be ready for Opening Day, while Lindor’s hamate surgery could shift infield roles; Semien (second) and Bichette (third) may shape Baty’s positions, potentially including right field. Lindor’s status remains hopeful. Outfielders Luis Robert Jr., Francisco Alvarez and Jorge Polanco will be slow-played to manage health; Robert’s $20M salary includes a 2027 club option, Polanco signed a two-year, $40M deal with knee history and a move toward first base, and Alvarez has thumb/hamate injuries requiring pitcher work. Mets balance load management with enough reps before the season.
MLBPA chief Tony Clark resigns amid a scandal, with a potential interim leader eyed as the CBA deadline nears. As Spring Training begins, several veterans have signed minor-league pacts (including Walker Buehler, Mike Tauchman, Nathaniel Lowe) hoping for a roster spot, while others like Lucas Giolito and Max Scherzer may chase major-league offers. The Braves’ rotation remains unsettled due to injuries, and while there’s talk of adding arms such as Giolito, Bassitt has already signed with the Orioles.
Colorado Rockies star Kris Bryant reported to spring training but cannot play due to a degenerative lumbar disc disease that makes everyday life painful; he’s been put on the 60-day injured list with no plans for him to play this season. Manager Warren Schaeffer called the condition real and said the team must operate as if Bryant won’t appear, while Bryant focuses on potential recovery and mentoring younger players. Bryant, 34, remains under contract for three more years with $81 million still owed, after signing a franchise-record deal in 2022; retirement has not been ruled out, though he hasn’t acknowledged it.
Angels star Mike Trout said he intends to play center field primarily this season, with club leadership on the same page, though he’ll split time in the corners during spring training. The 34-year-old veteran, coming off a knee-related year and not appearing in center last season, argues center is less taxing and wants the bulk of his playing time there, while also DHing occasionally. His five-year, $360 million extension and durability questions remain in play as he eyes a full season health-wise.