The Seattle Mariners have signed veteran reliever Trevor Gott to a minor league contract, including an invitation to big league camp for spring training. After missing the entire 2024 season due to a torn UCL in his right elbow and undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, Gott is eager to make a comeback. The 32-year-old right-hander boasts a career record of 16-15 with a 4.65 ERA and six saves in 255 appearances since his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2015. This will be Gott's second stint with the Mariners, having previously appeared in 30 games for them in 2023 before being traded to the New York Mets.
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Gott joins a roster of experienced relievers that the Mariners have recently taken a chance on, including Drew Pomeranz and Neftalí Feliz, as they vie for spots in Seattle's bullpen. The Mariners hope that Gott's experience and determination will bolster their pitching depth as they prepare for the upcoming season. With his return to the team, Gott aims to prove that he still has what it takes to be a valuable asset in the majors.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell showcased his prowess by tossing a scoreless inning in his spring training debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. Having signed a $182 million, five-year contract with the Dodgers in November, Snell demonstrated his capabilities by throwing 20 of 30 pitches for strikes. He efficiently retired J.P. Crawford on a groundout, struck out Seattle star Julio Rodríguez, allowed a two-out single to Randy Arozarena, and induced a groundout from Mitch Garver to complete the inning. Notably, Snell's fastball consistently clocked in at 96 mph, a promising sign so early in the season.
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Reflecting on his performance, Snell expressed satisfaction with his velocity. "I was looking at velocity more than I thought I was going to," Snell admitted. "But yeah, really happy where that’s at." The 32-year-old left-hander posted a 5-3 record with a 3.12 ERA last season with San Francisco, striking out 145 batters in 104 innings. Emphasizing the importance of fastball command, Snell added, "If you don’t have that, it’s going to be very tough to pitch in this league." His impressive debut bodes well for the Dodgers as they head into the new season with high expectations for their newly acquired ace.

Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, marking his first appearance under Major League Baseball's automated ball-strike (ABS) system. Despite a sharp two-inning performance against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he struck out four batters, Scherzer faced frustration with two robot challenges that transformed strikes into balls. His skepticism of the ABS system was clear. "I'm a little skeptical on this," Scherzer told The Athletic. "I get what we're trying to do here, but I think major league umpires are really good. So what are we actually changing here?"

​The ABS system, currently being tested in major league spring training after extensive trials in the minors, has sparked debate among players and coaches. Scherzer added, "We know there are going to be strikes that are changed to balls, and balls that are changed to strikes. So we're going to basically be even. So are we actually going to improve the game? Are the umpires really that bad? I don't think so." He also expressed a desire to return to traditional human judgment, stating, "Can we just play baseball? We're humans. Can we just be judged by humans? Do we really need to disrupt the game?"

Julio Rodríguez, the Mariners' dynamic center fielder, is taking a strategic approach this spring inspired by Mariners legend Edgar Martinez. Known for his meticulous preparation and relentless work ethic, Martinez's methods have long been a blueprint for success. This year, Rodríguez is following suit, focusing on getting as many at-bats as possible to ensure he's primed for the regular season. Whether it's extra live batting practice on the backfields or playing more innings early in the Cactus League, Rodríguez is all about maximizing his reps.
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Rodríguez emphasizes that while Spring Training games themselves don't count, the preparation and practice do. "The only thing that really matters is the amount of reps you get and the preparation you put in," he says. This focused approach is a big point of emphasis for the team, as they aim to build a strong foundation for the upcoming season. By learning from the best and putting in the extra work now, Rodríguez and his teammates are positioning themselves for success, ready to take on the challenges of the season with confidence and determination.

The Washington Nationals have re-signed right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan to a one-year, $6 million contract. Finnegan, who has spent the past five seasons with the Nationals, has been a reliable presence in their bullpen. Over his tenure with the team, he has made 291 appearances, posting a 3.56 ERA and striking out 23.5% of batters faced. Finnegan took over the closer's role in recent years, recording 38 saves in the 2024 season. Despite some concerns about his declining strikeout rate and susceptibility to hard contact, the Nationals decided to bring him back, hoping he can continue to provide stability in their bullpen.
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The decision to re-sign Finnegan comes as part of the Nationals' strategy to add solid short-term veterans to their roster while they continue their rebuilding efforts. Alongside Finnegan, the Nationals have also signed relievers Jorge López and Lucas Sims to one-year deals, bolstering their bullpen depth. With Finnegan's experience and track record, the Nationals aim to have a reliable closer who can mentor younger pitchers and potentially become a valuable trade asset if the team is not contending by midseason. The Nationals' offseason moves reflect their commitment to balancing veteran presence with the development of their young core.

​The Detroit Tigers have inked a deal with left-handed pitcher Thomas Szapucki, aiming to enhance their pitching depth. Szapucki, once a top prospect within the New York Mets' system, faced significant hurdles due to injuries. After a promising stint with the San Francisco Giants and overcoming thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, the Tigers hope Szapucki can make a comeback. He brings a career 2.87 minor league ERA and will join the Tigers' minor league camp to build back up. If he stays healthy and performs well, Szapucki could earn a spot in the Tigers' bullpen or rotation in the future.

Their MLB debuts will be separated by literal decades. Chase Dollander, a 23-year-old pitcher, made his Cactus League debut for the Colorado Rockies on Monday against the San Francisco Giants. The other starting pitcher in the game was Justin Verlander, who just turned 42 last week. Dollander was asked what it was like pitching against Verlander and had a funny, but completely true response about their age difference. "That was awesome. Somebody told me he debuted in 2005," said Dollander. "I was four years old at the time so that's pretty cool to be able to do that. Yeah, had a lot of fun." To be completely accurate, Dollander would have actually only been three and a half when Verlander made his MLB debut on July 4, 2005.
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On Monday, Verlander, who is on a one-year, $15 million deal, gave up one run on one hit in two innings. Dollander, who will still have to be pitching in the 2040s if he wants to catch Verlander on MLB's all-time wins list, gave up one run and two hits in two innings and struck out three batters. Despite the age gap, both pitchers showed their talent on the mound, with Verlander displaying his veteran experience and Dollander demonstrating his potential as a rising star in the Rockies' rotation.

The San Diego Padres have signed left-handed pitcher Wes Benjamin to a minor league contract, including a non-roster invite to MLB Spring Training. Benjamin, 31, returns to the United States after a three-year stint in South Korea with the KT Wiz, where he posted a 3.74 ERA over 400 innings. Despite a challenging 2024 season with a 4.63 ERA, Benjamin's consistent strikeout rate and experience make him a valuable addition to the Padres' pitching depth. Before his time in Korea, Benjamin spent eight years in the Texas Rangers organization, making 21 major league appearances between 2020 and 2021. The Padres are optimistic that Benjamin can provide reliable rotation depth as he competes for a spot on the major league roster.
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Benjamin's journey has been marked by perseverance and adaptability. After being drafted by the Rangers in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft, he faced ups and downs in his career, including a near-6.00 ERA in Triple-A and a brief stint with the Chicago White Sox's top affiliate in 2022. His move to the KBO allowed him to refine his skills and gain valuable experience. Now, with the Padres, Benjamin has the opportunity to showcase his talent and contribute to the team's success. As spring training progresses, his performance will be closely monitored by the coaching staff, and fans will be eager to see if he can make a successful return to the majors.

The Chicago White Sox have identified Miguel Vargas as their primary option at third base for the upcoming season. Vargas, 25, joined the White Sox last summer in a three-team trade involving the Dodgers and Cardinals. Despite his struggles at the major league level, where he has hit .175/.273/.312 in 591 plate appearances, Vargas has shown promise in the minors with a .297/.412/.512 line over the past three years. The White Sox are optimistic about his potential and have committed to giving him significant playing time at the hot corner. Manager Will Venable has expressed confidence in Vargas's ability to make offensive strides and find a viable defensive home at third base.
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Vargas's journey to becoming the White Sox's primary third baseman has been marked by perseverance and hard work. After being moved around the diamond by the Dodgers, Vargas is now focused on solidifying his role at third base. The White Sox's decision to experiment with Vargas at this position comes after a historically bad season in 2024, giving them the opportunity to explore different options. With five years of team control remaining, the White Sox have time to develop Vargas and help him reach his full potential. As the team rebuilds, Vargas's performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

The Seattle Mariners have signed right-handed reliever Garrett Hill to a minor league contract. Hill, 29, previously pitched for the Detroit Tigers between 2022 and 2023, logging 60 1/3 innings with a 4.03 ERA in 17 appearances during the 2022 season. Despite his initial promise, Hill struggled in 2023, posting a 9.19 ERA and 2.11 WHIP over 15 2/3 innings, leading to his release. After electing minor league free agency in November, Hill now joins the Mariners, where he will begin the season in the upper minors, aiming to harness his swing-and-miss stuff and improve his control.
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Hill's journey has been marked by both potential and challenges. After opening last season on the injured list, he was reinstated in late May and assigned to Double-A Erie, where he struck out nearly a third of opposing hitters. However, his performance at Triple-A Toledo was less impressive, with a 4.76 ERA and a high walk rate. The Mariners hope that Hill can regain his form and provide valuable depth to their bullpen. As he works to refine his mechanics and consistency, Hill's progress will be closely monitored by the Mariners' coaching staff.