MLB Spring Training Buzz: Orioles Extend Right-Hander Shane Baz

MLB spring training has commenced with all teams reporting for duty in Arizona and Florida as all 30 teams targeting Opening Day on March 25. Rosters are getting finalized and every team’s new offseason additions are getting their reps in — not to mention the much-anticipated World Baseball Classic that will see the world’s best players compete on the international stage. Here are all the notable news and last-minute dealings as teams ramp up to Opening Day: Mar. 27 Shane Baz signs extension The Baltimore Orioles extended the right-hander on a five-year, $68 million deal, per ESPN. Baltimore acquired Baz, who hasn’t yet made his 2026 debut, from the Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason. Last year, Baz recorded a 4.87 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 176 strikeouts across 166 ⅓ innings pitched (31 starts) with the Rays. The year prior, he posted a 3.06 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 14 starts. Baz has been held back by elbow injuries throughout his career, with the 26-year-old not pitching in 2023 and making just six starts in 2022. He was the No. 12 pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Mar. 26 Brewers to begin 2026 without Chourio Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio is expected to miss the first two to four weeks of the season after fracturing his left hand in an exhibition game three weeks ago. The Brewers placed Chourio on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Wednesday. The move was announced hours before their season opener against the Chicago White Sox. The injury occurred March 4 while playing for Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic team in an exhibition game with the Washington Nationals at West Palm Beach, Florida. Chourio was hit by a pitch from Washington’s Clayton Beeter. After Chourio had experienced discomfort recently, an MRI revealed a small hairline fracture at the base of the third metacarpal. Chourio, 22, is coming off a 2025 season in which he batted .270 with a .308 on-base percentage, 21 homers, 78 RBIs and 21 steals in 131 games. He has recorded over 20 homers and 20 steals in each of his two seasons in the majors since signing an eight-year, $82 million contract in December 2023, which represented the most money guaranteed to a player with no major league experience. He has batted .341 with a 1.044 OPS, four homers and 11 RBIs in 12 career postseason games. Mar. 25 Yankees place ace Cole on 15-day IL Ace Gerrit Cole was put on the 15-day injured list by the New York Yankees before Wednesday’s season opener against San Francisco rather than the 60-day IL. If the 35-year-old right-hander had been placed on the 60-day IL, he could have not pitched in a major league game until May 24. He had Tommy John surgery on March 11 last year with Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache and has made a pair of spring training starts, on March 18 and on Tuesday. New York also made several moves after Tuesday’s exhibition finale to get down to the limit of 26 active players. Left-hander Carlos Rodon, recovering from elbow surgery last October, was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to March 22 and shortstop Anthony Volpe, rehabbing from left shoulder surgery last October, was put on the 10-day IL retroactive to March 22. Right-hander Luis Gil was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year isn’t needed in the major leagues early in the season as the Yankees start with a four-man rotation because of off days. New York also selected the contract of outfielder Randal Grichuk from the RailRiders. He gets a one-year deal calling for $2.5 million while in the major leagues and $210,000 in the minors. He can earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $250,000 for 200 and each additional 50 through 450. Rookie Early rounds out Red Sox rotation Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced that rookie starter Connelly Early would be part of Boston’s season-opening roster, per ESPN. Early, a lefty, will slot into the rotation, and start the third game of the season against the Reds on Sunday, following Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray in the first two matchups. Early, a top-50 prospect on multiple industry lists such as Baseball Prospectus, turns 24 years old in the season’s first week, and debuted in 2025 with four September starts in which he allowed 5 runs in 19.1 innings, and struck out 11 in his first-ever big-league appearance. Early also pitched in the 2025 postseason against the Yankees, in a game that the Red Sox lost 4-0 to the rival Yankees. As a result of Early winning this last rotation spot up for grabs due to a strong spring in which he struck out 16 batters in 17 innings while posting 1.59 ERA, trade acquisition Johan Oviedo will begin the season in the bullpen, while another rookie, Peyton Tolle, was assigned to Triple-A. The Pirates shipped Oviedo to Boston this offseason as part of a five-player deal that sent outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia to Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound right-hander has split time between the bullpen and rotation in the past, and produced a 3.57 ERA in nine starts in 2025. Mar. 24 Cubs sign Pete Crow-Armstrong to six-year extension Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong re-signed with the Cubs to a $115 million dollar contract extension, locking him in until 2031. This deal did not come with a club option, opening up other opportunities as this allows PCA to hit free agency before he turns 31. With a breakout season last year, this is a massive deal for the young outfielder. In the most recent season, he hit the 30-30 mark for the first time, won a Gold Glove, and hit a career-high of 95 RBIs. These numbers earned him an All-Star selection and well-deserved respect from the Cubs organization, as reflected in his contract extension. Brewers acquire right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford The Milwaukee Brewers made a new addition to their bullpen by adding right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford from the Tampa Bay Rays, and giving away minor league right-handed pitcher K.C. Hunt. Woodford spent the first four seasons of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, starting in 2020. He then spent the 2024 season with the White Sox and the Pirates, where he played nine games total. His most recent stint was with the Diamondbacks, where he played 22 games as a reliever, pitching a 6.44 ERA in 2025. Yankees deploying four-man rotation New York is sending right-hander Luis Gil to Triple A to begin the season and rolling with a four-man starting rotation, according to multiple reports. Gil, the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year, missed the first four months of the 2025 season due to a lat strain and posted a 3.32 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across the 11 regular-season starts that he made. The Yankees will begin the season with Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers as their primary starting pitchers. Mar. 23 Suzuki to start season on IL after WBC injury Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki will start the season on the injured list as he recovers from a sprained right knee sustained while playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs had previously ruled Suzuki out of Thursday’s opener against Washington. Manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Suzuki is heading to the injured list after spraining the posterior cruciate ligament in the knee in Japan’s loss to Venezuela on March 14 in the WBC quarterfinals. The 31-year-old Suzuki walked gingerly to the dugout after a headfirst slide into second base when he was caught stealing in the first inning. Suzuki was replaced in center field after the end of that half-inning. Suzuki is going into the final season of an $85 million, five-year contract. He has hit .269 with 87 home runs and 296 RBIs in 532 games for the Cubs, including a team-leading 103 RBIs with 32 homers in 2025. The Cubs are adding veteran Michael Conforto to the 40-man roster ahead of the opener. Conforto was a non-roster invitee to spring training. The 33-year-old hit .273 this spring. Conforto batted just .199 with 12 home runs last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Strider strains oblique, will start on IL Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will start the season on the injured list because of a strained oblique, the team announced Monday. Strider had been scheduled to start in Monday’s spring training finale against Pittsburgh before being scratched. Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters the team is hopeful Strider will miss only a couple of weeks. The 27-year-old Strider is aiming to take another step forward now that he’s two years removed from right elbow surgery. Strider missed most of 2024 and returned to the majors last year, going 7-14 with a 4.45 ERA in 23 starts. He went 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in 8.1 innings of work in spring training for the Braves as he tries to regain the form he showed in 2023, when the All-Star led the majors with 20 victories and 281 strikeouts. The injury is the latest setback for Atlanta’s pitching staff, which already has seen starters Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep placed on the 60-day injured list following elbow surgery. Lux to begin year on IL Gavin Lux’s debut with the Tampa Bay Rays is going to have to wait. The club is placing the veteran infielder on injured reserve with a right shoulder impingement. The move means Richie Palacios will make the opening day roster for Tampa Bay. The Rays acquired Lux from Cincinnati in January as part of a three-team deal that sent outfielder Josh Lowe from Tampa Bay to the Los Angeles Angels. Los Angeles sent left-handed reliever Brock Burke to Cincinnati as part of the swap. Lux, 28, hit .269 with five homers and 53 RBIs last season with the Reds. A career .256 hitter who won a pair of World Series titles with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lux agreed to a $5.525 million, one-year contract shortly before being sent to Tampa Bay and can become a free agent after this year’s World Series. Lux struggled a bit in his first spring training with Tampa Bay, hitting .190 in seven games and had been dealing with what manager Kevin Cash described as a “cranky” right shoulder in recent days. Blue Jays extend Atkins, Schneider The Toronto Blue Jays locked in their leadership group Monday by extending manager John Schneider and general manager Ross Atkins. Schneider’s new deal runs through 2028, while Atkins’ covers 2031. The moves follow Toronto’s 94-win season, American League East title and a seven-game World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. Schneider, 46, has a 303-257 record since taking over in July 2022 and was runner-up for American League manager of the year last season. He is entering his fourth full season as skipper after the Blue Jays picked up his 2026 option last season. Schneider is the 14th manager in franchise history and succeeded Charlie Montoyo in July 2022, helping guide Toronto to a wild-card berth that season. The Blue Jays were swept in the wild-card round in 2022 by Seattle and again in 2023 by Minnesota before slipping to a 74-win season in 2024. Toronto rebounded in 2025, securing the division title on the final day of the regular season and advancing to the World Series for the first time since 1993. Schneider, who is from Princeton, New Jersey, has spent more than two decades with the organization after being drafted by Toronto in 2002 and working his way through the minor league system. “I am ecstatic to continue leading the Blue Jays as we work to bring our incredible fans a championship team,” Schneider said. “It’s been a privilege to be part of this organization for nearly 25 years, and the work the Blue Jays continue to do excites me every day.” Mar. 19 Trey Yesavage beginning season on injured list The 22-year-old Blue Jays right-hander will begin the season on the injured list due to right shoulder impingement, per MLB.com. Yesavage, whom Toronto selected with the No. 20 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, made his MLB debut last season. After making just three regular-season starts, Yesavage was an integral part of Toronto winning the American League pennant and reaching Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, recording a combined 3.58 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 39 strikeouts over 27.2 innings pitched in the postseason (five starts/six total appearances). Mar. 18 Gerrit Cole makes first start for Yankees in over a year Cole returned to a mound to pitch in a game after a 377-day absence and threw a scoreless first inning Wednesday for the Yankees in an exhibition game against the Red Sox. Cole threw 10 pitches, seven for strikes, including six four-seam fastballs that averaged 97.1 mph, ranging from 98.7 mph 96.1 mph. He threw two sliders and a pair of knuckle-curves. His first pitch, a 96.6 mph fastball to Braiden Ward, was bunted to the right side for a single as Cole slid toward the base trying to field it. Ward stole second, held as Kristian Campbell flied out and was caught stealing third by catcher Austin Wells. Jason Delay lined a 1-2 fastball into left for a single, and Nathan Hickey grounded out on a first-pitch knuckle-curve. Pitching with a slight beard — the Yankees relaxed their facial hair policy last year — Cole showed his altered windup, in which he puts his hands over his head. A 35-year-old right-hander, Cole had Tommy John surgery on March 11 last year with Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Yankees manager Aaron Boone projects Cole to make his season debut in late May or early June. Cole is signed to a $324 million, nine-year contract through 2028. He has a 153-80 career record and 3.18 ERA over 317 starts with Pittsburgh (2013-17), Houston (2018-19) and the Yankees (starting in 2020). Blue Jays lose Berrios to stress fracture Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios won’t be ready for the start of the season after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow. Berríos had met with Dr. Keith Meister regarding what the Blue Jays were describing as inflammation in his elbow. Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters Wednesday about Berríos’ diagnosis. Berríos, 31, went 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 31 appearances for the Blue Jays last season. He ended the season on the injured list and didn’t pitch in the postseason as the Blue Jays made their World Series run. Mar. 16 Yoshinobu Yamamoto to start season opener for Dodgers The World Series MVP, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, will open the season for the Dodgers at home. Dave Robert, Dodgers general manager, reported at Spring Training that Yamamoto will start on March 26 against Arizona. Most recently, he pitched for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, starting two games and ending with a 2.70 ERA. Unfortunatey, Japan’s WBC run was cut short, as they suffered an 8-5 loss against Venezuela in the semifinals. Last year, the 27-year-old right-hander is going into his third season with the Dodgers and third season of his career. He pitched 30 games last year, finishing with an elite ERA of 2.49 and 201 strikeouts. In total playoff games, he went 7-0 with an impressive 2.25 ERA in 9 starts. Mar. 15 Mets’ Lindor makes return from hand surgery New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor played for the first time since his hand surgery on Sunday. He clocked a hit in 3 of his at-bats, and added a run to the statsheet in a merciless 8-1 win against the Blue Jays. The 5-time all-star had surgery on his left hand in the hamate bone, reporting that he felt soreness in his hand and wrist. At first, the healing process was projected to last for six weeks, bleeding into the season and causing a potential absence in the home opener against the Pirates. But alas, he returned early and showed no signs of rust in his return. Last year, he hit .267, pouring in 31 homers and 86 RBIs. Mar. 13 Milwaukee’s Priester to miss at least April Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Quinn Priester expects to miss at least the first month of the season as he recovers from a nerve issue. Priester had been dealing with an apparent wrist problem for much of the spring. Brewers manager Pat Murphy told reporters that Priester received a diagnosis indicating it was at least partially related to thoracic outlet syndrome. The right-hander discussed with MLB.com and other reporters on Friday a potential timeline for his return. “I think in my head late April or May, but I certainly think I’m on the optimistic side — as a player, I want to be back as quick as possible,” Priester said. “Ultimately I’ll trust whatever the scheduling is there to make sure we do it right, so then we don’t run into anything else trying to rush it back.” Priester, 25, said he was relieved that he finally knew exactly what was bothering him. “I feel like we’ve kind of been dancing around what some of these issues were,” he said. “Just to have a clear path forward I think is really good.” Priester had a breakthrough season last year after the Brewers acquired him from the Boston Red Sox in early April. He went 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 29 appearances, including 24 starts. Priester won 12 straight decisions at one point, and the Brewers won 19 straight games (16 starts and three appearances following an opener) in which he pitched. Mar. 12 7 players have contracts automatically renewed AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz’s contract was renewed by the Athletics, and shortstop Elly De La Cruz’s deal was set unilaterally by the Cincinnati Reds for the second straight season. Seven pre-arbitration players in all had their salaries specified by their teams, including two A’s, according to contract information obtained by The Associated Press. The total is the fewest in the major leagues since at least 2012. Kurtz was renewed at $785,000 while in major leagues — $5,000 above the minimum — and $324,839 in the unlikely event he is sent back to the minors. He made his major league debut last April 23 and hit .290 with 36 homers and 86 RBIs, then was a unanimous pick for Rookie of the Year. Kurtz earned $649,677 from a contract that paid at a rate of the then-minimum $760,000 while in the major leagues, and $123,900 while in the minors. Right-hander J.T. Gunn also was renewed by the A’s, at $785,000/$352,641. De La Cruz will make $800,000 this season while in the major leagues and $385,000 in the minors. He was renewed at $770,000 while in the major leagues last year, $10,000 above the minimum, and set career bests with a .264 average and 86 RBIs along with 22 homers and 37 stolen bases. Kurtz also earned $1,297,017 last year from the pre-arbitration bonus pool established in 2022 and De La Cruz $631,080. Also renewed were New York Mets right-hander Jonah Tong ($780,000/$127,100), Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas ($805,700/$385,000), Colorado right-hander Victor Vodnik ($790,000/$382,500) and St. Louis shortstop Masyn Winn ($799,450/$385,425). Mar. 11 Hader begins 2026 on IL Houston Astros All-Star closer Josh Hader will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, manager Joe Espada told reporters Wednesday. Hader, who dealt with biceps tendinitis while throwing bullpen sessions in the offseason, didn’t pitch after Aug. 8 last year because of a shoulder capsule strain. He had progressed to throwing and playing catch but the 31-year-old left-hander has not appeared in any spring training games and his buildup will extend past the Astros’ opener against the Los Angeles Angles on March 26. Hader was 6-2 with 28 saves in 29 chances with a 2.05 ERA in 48 appearances last season, his second since joining the Astros as a free agent for a $95 million, five-year contract. It is unclear yet who will replace Hader as closer early in the season. Right-hander Bryan Abreu, who had a career-high seven saves last year and has 16 in seven big league seasons, is an option. White Sox, Italy catcher Teel out 4-6 weeks Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel has a right hamstring strain and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, general manager Chris Getz told reporters on Wednesday. Teel, 24, injured his hamstring playing for Italy during its 8-6 upset of the U.S. on Tuesday night in the World Baseball Classic. On a double down the right-field line, Teel appeared to tweak his hamstring while rounding first base. He left the field under his own power with athletic trainers. Teel, acquired from Boston in the Garrett Crochet trade during the 2024 offseason, appeared in 78 games for the White Sox last season. Teel hit .273 with eight home runs, 11 doubles and 35 RBIs while walking 37 times in 297 plate appearances. Edgar Quero, who appeared in 111 games for Chicago last season, is expected to handle the bulk of the catching innings with Teel sidelined. Quero hit .268 with five home runs, 17 doubles and 36 RBIs in 403 plate appearances last season. Mar. 10 Hunter Greene out until summer The Cincinnati Reds’ ace will be out until at least July, as Greene will have surgery on Wednesday to remove bone chips in his right elbow, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Last week, it was revealed that Greene was having an MRI after experiencing discomfort in his pitching elbow. Greene, a 2024 All-Star, was limited to 19 regular-season starts in 2025 due to a groin injury. That said, in the 19 regular-season starts that Greene made, he recorded a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 132 strikeouts and 4.4 wins above replacement across 107.2 innings pitched. Phillies extend Jesus Luzardo Philadelphia announced that it has extended the left-hander to a five-year deal, which is worth $135 million, according to ESPN. The deal also includes a club option for 2032. Last season, which was the southpaw’s first season in Philadelphia, Luzardo posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 3.9 wins above replacement and 216 strikeouts across 183.2 innings pitched in the regular season (32 starts). Washington adds veteran arm The Nationals have reportedly signed right-hander Zack Littell to a one-year, $7 million deal that could reach $9.5 million in incentives. In a 2025 campaign split between the Rays and Reds, Littell posted a combined 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 3.2 wins above replacement across 186.2 innings pitched (32 starts). Mar. 7 Skubal, Tigers Won’t Talk Deal Till End of Season Before his start for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal discussed his long-term future with the Tigers. The two-time AL Cy Young winner won his $32 million arbitration case this season amid talks of a potential new deal. “There is no offer,” Skubal told USA Today Sports, “and there won’t be an offer until the end of the season. … My focus is on playing baseball and winning this year. I’ll deal with the contract stuff at the end of the year, and then we’ll kind of see. And that’s fine. It’s their decision.” The TIgers are aiming to make a deep October run with Skubal leading a rotation that includes newly signed Framber Valdez (three-year, $115 million contract) and 2025 All-Star Casey Mize. The TIgers also brought back back three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. Mar. 5 Jeremy Peña’s WBC status unclear The Houston Astros sent All-Star shortstop Jeremy Pena to see a hand specialist on Thursday for further examination of an injury to his right ring finger that has made his immediate availability for the World Baseball Classic unclear. Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters at the team’s spring training complex that Peña had some damage to the nail area on the finger after fielding a hard groundball for the Dominican Republic national team during an exhibition game on Wednesday. Peña was pulled after that. The Dominican Republic plays its first game of the WBC on Friday in Miami against Nicaragua. The 28-year-old Peña is coming off a career-best season in 2025, when he made his first All-Star team and batted .304 with an .840 OPS and 20 stolen bases. Mar. 4 Greene to undergo MRI on pitching elbow Right-hander Hunter Greene has left the Cincinnati Reds’ spring training camp due to right elbow stiffness. Manager Terry Francona and president of baseball operations Nick Krall told reporters on Wednesday that Greene will have an MRI in Cincinnati and be examined by team orthopedic consultant Dr. Timothy Kremchek. Greene also will consult with Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Expected to be the Reds’ ace, Greene added more lower-body work to his offseason routine in hopes of avoiding injuries. Greene went 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA last year, helping Cincinnati earn an NL wild card for its first playoff appearance since 2020. Greene whose 99.5 mph average four-seam fastball velocity led the major leagues among those throwing at least 1,250 pitches, was limited to a career-low 19 starts and 107.2 innings. Still, his 296 pitches of 100 mph or higher were second in the major leagues behind Mason Miller’s 422. Greene was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 9 with a right groin strain. He returned on May 23 and made three starts before going back on the IL with the same injury. This time, he was sidelined until Aug. 13. Greene, 26, is entering his fifth big ;eague season. He made the NL All-Star team for the first time in 2024 while going 9-5 with a 2.75 ERA in 26 starts. He also had 169 strikeouts in 150.1 innings despite spending time on the IL that year with elbow soreness. Mar. 3 Dodgers Gavin Stone deals with shoulder discomfort Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone won’t throw for the next couple of weeks as he deals with a discomfort in his throwing shoulder. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Tuesday that a scan showed inflammation but no structural damage, an encouraging sign in Stone’s comeback. Stone, 27, didn’t pitch last season after shoulder surgery on Oct. 9, 2024. The right-hander went 11-5 with a 3.53 ERA in 25 starts in 2024 before the shoulder injury shut him down. Braves Profar suspended for PEDs Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar faces a 162-game suspension by Major League Baseball for a possible second failed test for a performance-enhancing drug, a person familiar with the issue told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the process, first reported by ESPN, was ongoing. Profar intends to ask the players’ association to file a grievance to appeal any discipline to baseball’s independent arbitrator, Martin F. Scheinman, a second person familiar with the process said, also on condition of anonymity, because no announcement had been made. An All-Star in 2024, Profar was suspended for 80 games last March following a positive test for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that helps production of testosterone. He issued a statement then saying: “I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.” Because this would be Profar’s second infraction, an appeal would take place after a suspension was announced. Mar. 1 Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol will not be a lame-duck in 2026. Marmol and the team signed a two-year extension that will keep him under contract through at least the 2028 season on Sunday. There’s also a club option for the 2029 season. “As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time, and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” Cardinals president Chaim Bloom said in a statement. “He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow.” The 39-year-old Marmol has led the Cardinals for the past four seasons, taking them to the National League wild-card round in his first season as manager. But he has failed to return to the playoffs the last three years, and St. Louis was just 78-84 last season. The Cardinals underwent a pretty massive roster rebuild this offseason, trading the likes of Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray. So, the deal seemingly ensures that Marmol’s job is safe for a bit as St. Louis goes through a rebuild. Feb. 27 Giants Devers misses game against Dodgers The San Francisco Giants scratched slugger Rafael Devers from the starting lineup because of a tight hamstring, keeping him out a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The three-time All-Star and 2018 World Series champion is starting his first full season with the Giants after they acquired him in a trade with the Boston Red Sox last year. Devers hit 35 home runs and had 109 RBIs last season, playing 90 games with San Francisco and 73 in Boston. He signed a $313.5 million, 10-year contract in 2023 with the Red Sox. He was 20 when he made his major league debut in Boston nine years ago and the following year, he helped them win the World Series. Devers, who has 235 career homers and 747 RBIs, led Boston in RBIs for five straight seasons and has finished in the top 20 in voting for AL MVP five times. Feb. 26 Max Scherzer re-signs with Blue Jays Max Scherzer has agreed to a deal to return to the World Series runner-up Toronto Blue Jays, according to a report from the New York Post. The 41-year-old pitcher joined Toronto on a one-year, $15.5 million deal in 2025. Scherzer was limited to just 17 starts during the 2025 season, but he was an asset for the Blue Jays in the postseason, most notably picking up a win in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, where he held Seattle to two runs in 5 2/3 innings. Scherzer also made two starts in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young-winner and eight-time All-Star, has won two World Series titles, most recently in 2023. Feb. 25 Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez will wait until 2039 for full payment Verlander and Valdez will receive the final payments from their new contracts with the Tigers in 2039, with the team deferring $31 million of the $128 million it committed to the pitchers. Verlander’s $13 million, one-year deal will pay the 43-year-old right-hander $2 million this year. The $11 million in deferred money due the three-time Cy Young Award winner will be paid in $1.1 million installments each June 30 from 2030-39, according to contract terms obtained by The Associated Press. Valdez’s $115 million, three-year agreement includes a $20 million signing bonus paid in $2 million installments each June 15 from 2030-39. He gets salaries of $17.5 million this year and $37.5 million in 2027. The deal includes a $35 million player option for 2028 and a $40 million mutual option for 2029 with a $5 million buyout. Valdez’s salary each year from 2027 to 2029 can increase based on awards in the immediate preceding season as long as he doesn’t finish the prior season on the injured list. A salary would go up by $2 million if he wins a Cy Young Award, $1 million if he finishes second and $500,000 if he comes in third. It could also escalate by $2 million for winning World Series MVP and $1 million for winning ALCS MVP. Austin’s return to MLB delayed Tyler Austin’s return to the major leagues has been put on hold for what Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell says will be months following a procedure on his right knee. Counsell said Wednesday that Austin had a patellar tendon debridement procedure on his right knee Tuesday and will need a lengthy recovery period. Austin, 34, signed a one-year deal with Chicago after spending six seasons with Yokohama in Japan’s Pacific League. He was competing for playing time at designated hitter and also can play first base and the outfield. Austin was selected by the New York Yankees in the 2010 amateur draft and on Aug. 13, 2016, combined Aaron Judge to become the first teammates to homer in their first major league at-bats in the same game. Austin also played for Minnesota, Seattle and Milwaukee. and has hit .219 with 33 homers in four seasons in the majors. He was part of the 2021 U.S. Olympic team. His injury could create an opening for Michael Conforto to earn a bench spot on the team after Conforto agreed to a minor league deal on Monday. Feb. 24 Braves extend Chris Sale Atlanta has extended the star left-hander on a one-year, $27 million deal, per ESPN. The deal includes a $30 million club option for 2028. Sale, a nine-time All-Star, won the 2024 National League Cy Young Award in his first season with the Braves. Last season (2025), he was limited to 21 appearances (20 starts) due to a rib injury. Sale posted a 2.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 165 strikeouts, 161 ERA+ and 4.0 wins above replacement across 125 2/3 innings pitched. Feb. 23 Marlins 3B candidate Graham Pauley shut down Pauley’s bid to start at third base for the Marlins is on hold due to right forearm tightness. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Pauley had an MRI on Monday morning and has been shut down pending the results. Pauley is a left-hander hitter and the soreness is in his throwing arm. Pauley was expected to compete with Connor Norby at third base but has not appeared in a spring game due to the persistent tightness in his forearm. Pauley, 25, hit .224 with four homers in 161 at-bats as a rookie in 2025. McCullough told MLB.com some discomfort at the start of spring training is not unusual for players. McCullough said Pauley’s forearm tightness “just didn’t get any better over the course of a couple days. … He’s going to be shut down from baseball until we get a clearer picture on what’s happening.” Cubs sign OF Michael Conforto The Cubs are adding some outfield depth early in spring training, signing Conforto to a Minor League non-roster invite, the New York Post reported. Conforto, who’ll turn 33 on March 1, has largely been a plus hitter at the plate in his career. He hit .251 with a .804 OPS over the first 10 years of his career. However, he struggled with the Dodgers last season, hitting .199 with a .637 OPS and 12 homers over 138 games. Feb. 21 Dodgers add OF Jack Suwinski Los Angeles has claimed Suwinski off waivers from the Pirates, per multiple reports. Suwinski spent the first four seasons of his career with the Pirates (2022-25), most notably totaling 26 home runs, 74 RBIs and a 113 OPS+ in 2023 before being up and down from the major leagues from 2024-25. He was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Feb. 16. Should Suwinski, who has MLB starting experience at all three outfield positions, crack the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, he’d join an outfield rotation that includes free agent signee Kyle Tucker, Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pages, among others. Feb. 20 Max Scherzer reunion with Blue Jays? The three-time Cy Young Award winner is still a free agent, but the Blue Jays are showing the most interest, Sper portsnet. The two sides have been discussing a one-year deal that could strengthen Toronto’s pitching staff’s depth. Scherzer played a key role in the clubhouse’s energy a year ago, helping set the tone that propelled the team to the World Series. He started 17 regular-season games and three in the playoffs, posting a 5.19 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 85 innings, with another 14.1 innings of 3.77 ERA ball in the postseason. The Blue Jays added multiple starters to their rotation over the offseason, bringing in Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million contract, as well as Cody Ponce from the KBO on a three-year, $30 million deal. Midseason trade acquisition and former Cy Young Shane Bieber will begin 2026 in the rotation, as well, and top prospect and postseason star Trey Yesavage is also slated to be in the starting five out of spring training. Twins’ Pablo Lopez undergoing Tommy John surgery Minnesota’s right-hander will have season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery. The team said Friday that López’s surgery will be performed next week in Texas by Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister. López turns 30 early next month. It will be the second Tommy John surgery for López. He had the procedure as a minor leaguer with the Seattle organization and missed the 2014 season. López ended a bullpen session early during the Twins’ first full-squad workout Monday. First-year manager Derek Shelton said he was hopeful the move was precautionary, but a day later general manager Jeremy Zoll told reporters of the UCL tear. López was the Twins’ opening-day for the past three years and was planning to pitch for Venezuela in next month’s World Baseball Classic. He made the All-Star team in his first year with Minnesota and helped the franchise end a record 18-game postseason losing streak for North American professional sports, going 2-0 with an 0.71 ERA in two starts in the 2023 playoffs. A shoulder injury limited him to 14 starts last season after he made 32 in each of three consecutive 10-win seasons, the first in his final season with the Marlins. López is making $21.75 million this season and is signed through next year. Orioles 3B Jordan Westburg out through April Westburg has been unable to take part in spring training after a right oblique injury during the offseason, and it was unclear Thursday whether an elbow issue also was keeping him off the field. Now, we have clarity on the matter, as Orioles general manager Mike Elias revealed on Friday morning that the versatile infielder has a partial UCL tear in his right elbow and will be out through April, per MLB.com. Westburg will be getting a PRP injection on Friday. “He’s just unable to participate right now,” first-year manager Craig Albernaz told reporters Thursday. “He’s getting evaluated by our medical team and also outside people to make sure we have a plan in place, and see what’s going on with Jordan to get him going.” When asked whether it was the oblique or a new elbow issue for Westburg, the manager replied, “Just physically unable to go.” Albernaz was also asked whether there was a fear that any issues for Westburg would be worse than originally thought. “Just want to make sure that we do our due diligence and make sure Jordan is in the best chance to play this year,” Albernaz said. Westburg, 27, hit .265 with 17 homers and 41 RBs in 85 games last season, when he missed time with a left hamstring strain and a right ankle sprain. He hit .265 with 18 homers and 63 RBIs in 107 games in 2024, when he appeared in the All-Star Game two weeks before sustaining a broken right hand when getting hit by a pitch. Feb. 19 Brewers manager Pat Murphy gets new deal Murphy has reportedly agreed to a new three-year deal to remain at the helm in Milwaukee, per The Athletic. The 67-year-old skipper and reigning NL Manager of the Year will now stay in Milwaukee through at least the 2028 season, with a deal that includes a club option for 2029. “I’m sincerely grateful I have a locker,” Murphy told MLB.com on Thursday. “Getting to be part of the Brewers’ organization for the last 10 years has been a great journey. Getting to continue in this position is an honor.” Murphy has led the Brewers to two straight NL Central crowns, while also being the team’s bench coach when it won the division in 2023. He took over in 2024 when Craig Counsell bolted for the Cubs. Guardians trying Steven Kwan in center Kwan will get some time in center field during spring training, as manager Stephen Vogt assesses the best possible outfield combination. Kwan is a four-time Gold Glove winner in left field. That is tied with Kenny Lofton for the most Gold Gloves in franchise history by an outfielder. Vogt told reporters on Thursday that Kwan has expressed an interest in playing center at times. Kwan was primarily a center field in Cleveland’s minor-league system but has seen action there in only eight games over his five seasons in the majors. Rookie Chase DeLauter, who made his big-league debut in last season’s AL wild-card series against the Tigers, could see time in center and right. DeLauter dropped a high fly hit by Detroit’s Gleyber Torres during the first inning in his first game. Three innings later, he made a pinpoint throw to third base, where Zach McKinstry was tagged out by Jose Ramirez. George Valera will likely play left field during Cactus League games. Kwan, a two-time All-Star, and Ramírez were the lone consistent offensive threats on the Guardians last season as they repeated as AL Central Division champions. Feb. 18 Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol injury update Graterol won’t be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, manager Dave Roberts revealed, per The Athletic. Graterol hasn’t pitched for Los Angeles since the 2024 World Series due to a shoulder injury, and the Dodgers continue to “take things slow” with the right-hander, with the aim of him pitching at some point in the 2026 season. In a combined 181 innings pitched with the Dodgers (2020-24), Graterol has recorded a 2.69 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Feb. 16 Padres sign RHP Walker Buehler to minor-league deal The Padres have signed Buehler to a minor league deal. After seven seasons with the Dodgers, including two World Series victories, Buehler struggled in 2025. He started 22 games for the Red Sox, earning a 7-7 record. The Red Sox released him midseason, and the Phillies picked him up before the end of the season. Mike Trout wants to return to center field for Angels Trout says he would prefer to return to center field for the Angels, and the star slugger says he will skip the WBC because of insurance issues. The 11-time All-Star, who has been plagued by injuries since 2021, says his familiar position isn’t as physically demanding as the corner outfield spots, contrary to traditional thinking. Trout played his most games since 2019 last season, finishing at 130. The three-time American League MVP started 22 of his first 29 games in right field before a knee injury sidelined him for a month. The 34-year-old was exclusively a designated hitter when he returned in late May. Trout had 26 home runs but hit just .232, by far the worst average of his career when he had at least 400 at-bats. He spent time in left field early in his career but was a center fielder for 11 consecutive seasons before the switch to right. Injuries limited Trout to 111 games the previous two years. Trout said conversations with first-year manager Kurt Suzuki have included the idea of a return to center. “I feel like I’m at my best when I’m in center,” Trout told reporters at the club’s spring training facility Monday. “If I have to go to the corner, I’ll go to the corner.” Trout believes a return to center will be good for his health. Padres extend GM A.J. Preller The Padres have agreed on a multiyear contract extension with their general manager, who has the second-longest tenure among baseball operations chiefs in the big leagues behind Brian Cashman of the Yankees. The Padres, who announced the deal Monday without disclosing terms, have made the postseason four of the past six years following a stretch of 13 seasons without reaching the playoffs that started in 2007, seven years before the club hired Preller. Cashman has been general manager of the Yankees since 1998. The 48-year-old Preller, who also has the title of president of baseball operations, has presided over the free agent signings of Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts; trades that landed the likes of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto; and a farm system that produced center fielder Jackson Merrill, who was an All-Star as a rookie in 2024. The Padres are coming off consecutive 90-win seasons for the first time in club history and have set attendance records at Petco Park each of the past three seasons. San Diego reached the National League championship series in 2022, losing to Philadelphia in five games. “Under his guidance, our organization has continued to invest in elite talent at both the major and minor league levels while building a strong baseball operations, scouting and player development group,” Padres chairman John Seidler said. “We are confident he will continue to tirelessly pursue the first World Series championship for San Diego.” Feb. 14 Padres signing Nick Castellanos, Griffin Canning San Diego is signing Castellanos to a one-year deal two days after the veteran outfielder was released by the Phillies, according to The Athletic. Castellanos, who will primarily play first base for the Padres, was released by the Phillies prior to entering the final season of a five-year, $100 million deal. Last season, the 33-year-old right fielder totaled 17 home runs, 72 RBIs and -0.8 wins above replacement, while posting a .250/.294/.400 slash line. The Padres have also signed Canning to a one-year deal. Canning made 16 starts last season for the Mets, posting a 3.77 ERA and 1.38 WHIP before suffering a season-ending ruptured left Achilles tendon. Feb. 13 Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen stays put The right-hander has signed a one-year, $22 million deal to stay with the Diamondbacks, per multiple reports. Gallen, a 2023 All-Star, posted a career-high 4.83 ERA last season. From 2022-24, he averaged a 3.20 ERA and 1.09 WHIP per season and was the D-backs’ ace en route to them winning the National League pennant in 2023. Astros closer Josh Hader warming up again Hader played catch again Friday after the six-time All-Star left-hander dealt with biceps tendinitis while throwing bullpen sessions in the offseason. Astros manager Joe Espada said Hader, who missed the end of last season with a shoulder capsule strain, had stopped playing catch after a series of offseason bullpens before getting to Florida for the start of spring training this week. The 31-year-old Hader was 6-2 with 28 saves and a 2.05 ERA in 48 appearances last season, his second since joining the Astros in free agency. His last game was a two-inning outing against the Yankees on Aug. 8, which was before Houston missed the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons. Joey Loperfido sent to Astros The Blue Jays acquired outfielder Jesús Sánchez from the Astros for outfielder Joey Loperfido on Friday. The 28-year-old Sánchez hit .237 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs in 134 games last season between the Marlins and Astros. The left-handed hitter has 73 home runs in 580 games over six major league seasons. Loperfido, 26, split last season between Toronto and Triple-A Buffalo, batting .333 in 41 games with the Blue Jays. He has appeared in 122 career major league contests between Houston and Toronto. Feb. 12 Dodgers bring back Kiké Hernandez Hernandez has signed a one-year deal worth $4.5 million to stay with the Dodgers through the season. Hernandez, 34, has played nine of his 12 major league seasons with the Dodgers. Last season, he hit .203 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 92 games during which he played in the outfield, first base, second base and third base. Phillies release Nick Castellanos Philadelphia announced that it has released Castellanos. It was reported that Philly was trying to trade the right fielder, but it was to no avail. Castellanos, a two-time All-Star, was reportedly told not to report to the Phillies’ spring training facility as the parties worked toward a resolution. Castellanos is coming off a 2025 campaign where he totaled 17 HRs, 72 RBIs and a career-low -0.8 wins above replacement, while posting a .250/.294/.400 slash line. Dodgers All-Star Max Muncy signs extension The Dodgers have signed Muncy to a one-year, $10 million guaranteed extension, the team announced. It includes a $7 million salary for 2027 and a $10 million team option for 2028. Last season, Muncy, a two-time All-Star who has won three World Series with the Dodgers, totaled 19 home runs, 67 RBIs and 3.6 wins above replacement in 100 regular-season wins, while posting a .243/.376/.460 slash line. He missed time due to knee and oblique injuries. Muncy then hit three home runs in the postseason en route to the Dodgers winning the 2025 World Series. Feb. 11 Orioles sign Chris Bassitt The O’s and pitcher Bassitt agreed to a one-year deal worth $18.5 million. Bassitt spent the last three seasons with the Blue Jays. In 2025, he finished 11-9 with a 3.96 earned runs average. Bassitt was an All-Star with the Athletics during the 2021 season and led the American League with 16 wins in 2023. Mets SS Francisco Lindor  undergoes surgery The Mets are optimistic Lindor will recover for opening day after having surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand. He’s the third prominent player to suffer hamate bone injuries in the opening week of spring training. Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll fractures hand Carroll won’t play for Team USA in the WBC after breaking his right hamate bone in batting practice. He’s having surgery for the injury and could begin the 2026 regular season on the injured list. A two-time All-Star who was set to play in his first WBC for Team USA, Carroll led the National League in triples in each of the past three seasons. Orioles 2B Jackson Holliday to undergo surgery The former No. 1 draft pick will have surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand and will miss Opening Day. O’s president of baseball operations Mike Elias said that Holliday sustained the injury during batting practice. He also said that third baseman Jordan Westburg is recovering from a right oblique injury that could delay his participation in spring training games. Holliday, 22, hit .242 with 17 home runs, 55 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 2025. Blue Jays OF Anthony Santander out for foreseeable future The switch-hitting outfielder will miss the next five-to-six months due to left labral surgery. Santander, who’s entering the second season of a five-year, $92.5 million deal, was limited to just 59 combined games in 2025 (regular and postseason) due to a shoulder injury. In the regular season, he totaled just six home runs, 18 RBIs and -1 wins above replacement, while posting a .175/.271/.294 slash line. In 2024, Santander was an All-Star for the Orioles, hitting a career-high 44 home runs and averaging 35 home runs and 95.3 RBIs per season from 2022-24. Feb. 10 Rockies’ Kris Bryant on 60-Day IL The Rockies will continue to be without one of their oft-injured big signings through at least two months after Bryant landed on the 60-day injured list due to a degenerative lumbar disc disease (lower back). The slugger has appeared in just 170 games with the Rockies since agreeing to a $182 million, seven-year contract in March 2022. In other news, the Rockies added Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to their rotation, agreeing to a $5.1 million, one-year deal with the right-hander. Sugano, 36, went 10-10 with a 4.64 ERA in 30 starts with the Orioles last year. He pitched in Japan before agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the O’s in December 2024. Sugano played for the Yomiuri Giants for 12 seasons, winning three MVPs in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League. Mets’ Juan Soto changing positions Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns announced that Soto will be shifting from right field to left field next season. Soto has extensive experience at both corner outfield positions but has primarily started in right field over the last two years. Last season was Soto’s first with the Mets and saw him total -7 defensive runs saved in right field. At the same time, the six-time Silver Slugger totaled a career-high 43 home runs, 105 RBIs, a National League-high 38 stolen bases and 6.2 wins above replacement, while posting a .263/.396/.525 slash line. Tigers sign RHP Justin Verlander It’s a full-circle moment for the 43-year-old future Hall of Famer, who returns to the club where he became a breakout star. The three-time Cy Young winner inked a one-year deal with the Tigers for $13 million. Verlander’s 266 wins are tied for 34th on baseball’s career list, while his 3,553 career strikeouts are eighth and closely trailing Don Sutton with 3,574. Verlander now bolsters an already stacked rotation that includes two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez, who also signed with Detroit in free agency. Verlander was traded to Houston in August 2017 and helped the Astros win the World Series that same year and again in 2022. Now he gets an opportunity to chase a third championship with the Tigers, who are looking for the franchise’s first title since 1984. Feb. 9 Diamondbacks 2B Ketel Marte “happy” to stay put Marte said he remains happy staying with Arizona despite an offseason of speculation that the All-Star could be traded. “We talked a lot and hashed some things out, talked it all through and everything is great,” Marte said ahead of reporting to spring training early. “[GM] Mike [Hazen] knows I love the D-backs, I love my teammates. Everyone knows what type of player I am, and I’m just happy it all worked out and [that] I’m here.” Hazen said that he did listen to offers but that a potential deal “never ended getting that close.” “I felt like I had to do my job just to listen to what people had to say,” Hazen said. “He’s a superstar player for us, and has been for a long time, and is going to continue to be.” In his nine seasons for the Diamondbacks, Marte has made three All-Star teams, won two Silver Slugger Awards, finished third (2024) and fourth (2019) in NL MVP Award voting, as well as being named MVP of the 2023 National League Championship Series. Marte will take part in the WBC for the Dominican Republic. Diamondbacks LHP Andrew Saalfrank to miss 2026 Saalfrank will miss the season after shoulder surgery. The 28-year-old was expected to be an important part of the team’s bullpen after compiling a 1.24 ERA over 28 appearances last season. It’s another hit for the pitching staff, which already is without relievers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez, along with ace starter Corbin Burnes, for the first few months of the season. All three are recovering from elbow surgery and hope to be back during the summer. Saalfrank called the surgery a “tough pill to swallow,” adding that “the game of baseball can be a brutal one, but it’s also given me some of the best moments of my life, and I don’t expect that to change moving forward.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.