Mining the News (3/18/26)

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

• While this blurb is directly about Seiya Suzuki, it points out that players can cut their IL stint from 10 to seven days if they don’t play in the last three Spring Training games. If a guy is not playing in a regular Spring Training game this upcoming weekend (back fields appearances don’t count), they may be headed to the IL, with a chance to be back in seven rather than 10 games.

The big question for the Cubs right now, in relation to both the WBC and the regular season, is whether Seiya Suzuki’s PCL sprain will prevent him from being available on Opening Day. The Cubs will see how Suzuki feels by the end of this weekend, and then make a decision on whether it’s an Injured List situation or not. The timing there matters, as an IL stint can be backdated by up to three days. In other words, the Cubs will want to know by this weekend whether they want to put Suzuki into the final few Cactus League games to ramp him up, or whether they need to hold him out so that they can backdate the maximum three days (and thus turn his 10-day minimum IL stint, effectively, into a 7-day minimum IL stint).

American League

Angels

• Adam Frazier is the favorite to be the team’s second baseman.

There was some added clarity when Christian Moore and Kyren Paris were both optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, but the Angels still have to decide on a starter at second base. Non-roster invitee Adam Frazier is the favorite for that role because he hits left-handed and makes contact at a high clip, but Oswald Peraza has had an impressive spring, and Vaughn Grissom still remains in the mix. Peraza and Grissom are both out of Minor League options.

Suzuki also said he wouldn’t rule out just going based on matchups at second base and using a modified platoon with Frazier and Peraza/Grissom, who both hit right-handed. Veteran Chris Taylor is also an option and has an opt-out looming, while Jeimer Candelario got a start at second on Monday to see if he can handle the position.

• There is a chance that Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah could start the season in the minors.

The Angels traded for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez and signed right-hander Alek Manoah to a one-year deal to join the rotation, but both have struggled this spring. Rodriguez has a 4.97 ERA with 10 walks in 12 2/3 innings, while Manoah has a 7.15 ERA with 10 walks in 11 1/3 innings. Both have Minor League options remaining and could be sent down to revamp their stuff after not pitching in the Majors last year due to injury.

Blue Jays

• It doesn’t sound like Shane Bieber is making much progress.

RHP Shane Bieber
Injury: Right forearm fatigue
Expected return: Week to week with a “delayed” ramp-up
Status: Working in a couple of “heavy” throw days each week, but has yet to return to the mound and it will remain difficult to chart a timeline until that happens.

White Sox

• Brooks Baldwin last played on March 6th.

OF Brooks Baldwin
Injury: Right elbow soreness
Expected return: Day to day
Status: Hasn’t played in a Cactus League game since March 6, when he sustained the injury throwing to bases. Had imaging done on March 10, with something showing up in there, according to manager Will Venable. Will be checked out by specialists for further treatment.

• The team’s starting rotation will be Shane Smith, Sean Burke, Anthony Kay, Davis Martin, and Erick Fedde 페디.

White Sox manager Will Venable announced the team's season-opening starting rotation: Shane Smith, Sean Burke, Anthony Kay, Davis Martin and Erick Fedde.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 17, 2026

National League

Dodgers

• Mookie Betts’s weight is up, and he’s working on his mobility.

“When I show up to the park, I don’t have to guess,” Betts continued. “I don’t have to panic. It’s just the same every day. You’re going to have days when you get hits and days when you don’t get hits. But I’m not chasing my tail. I’m not physically at a deficit. I’m just in a really good spot.”

Which isn’t to say Betts isn’t looking for different ways to keep himself feeling this way. When Yoshinobu Yamamoto arrived in 2024 with his nontraditional training methods, Betts was intrigued. Now, he’s completely embracing Yamamoto’s methods, working with Osamu Yada (known around Camelback Ranch as “Yada Sensei”) on his mobility as he looks to extend his prime.

Padres

• With his velocity down from it’s peak earlier in his career, Walker Buehler is now focusing on his secondary pitches.

Walker has had to reinvent himself to some degree. He’s no longer the flamethrower who could touch 98 or 99 mph. On Monday, his fastball sat around 93-94 mph, and he credited two secondary offerings he throws differently from earlier in his career as being effective.

“I feel pretty confident with the two new pitches,” Buehler said. “ … Getting the sweeper back, getting a changeup that I feel like I can throw to right[-handed hitters] and left[ies].”

Phillies

• On the back fields, Orion Kerkering is sitting around 94 mph. Last year, his fastball sat at 97 mph.

Orion Kerkering visited the back fields Tuesday afternoon and fired 16 pitches in an uneventful scoreless inning of a minor-league game against Detroit Tigers farmhands. It was his first game action of the spring. Kerkering’s fastball sat 93 to 95 mph. He threw some good sliders and some so-so ones. He tried his new splitter twice.

He will pitch Friday in a Grapefruit League game, then again before the Phillies break camp next Monday.

• Adolis García has simplified his stance to get the ball quicker.

The Phillies have applied changes to García’s stance; in the past, he held his hands higher and tilted the bat toward the pitcher.

Spring training is a time to try things. It’s hard to stick with an adjustment when the results aren’t there; García had been late on many pitches this spring as he experimented with the new setup. So, Tuesday offered some validation.

“The work that they’re doing, it looks like it’s starting to pay off,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.

A lot was tied to breaking the old habit of the bat tilt. It’s a simplification.

“He tends to wrap it a little bit,” Thomson said. “So, trying to just calm that down so he gets a shorter route to the ball essentially. … He’s got aptitude and a work ethic, so hopefully it’s going to come through.”