Baseball season is back, bringing excitement as most MLB teams kick off their spring training on Wednesday, with pitchers and catchers officially reporting to camps in Arizona and Florida. While the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers got a head start on their preparations ahead of their season-opening series in Tokyo, several teams will start their training on Thursday. However, Wednesday primarily marks the dawn of a new season for most clubs.
Among the teams making headlines is the New York Yankees, who are thrilled to welcome back Gerrit Cole, the 2023 Cy Young Award winner. Cole opted to remain with the Yankees instead of exercising his option to leave his contract. He will be supported in the rotation by newly acquired Max Fried, who represents a significant addition as the Yankees aim to reclaim their spot in the World Series. After succumbing to the Dodgers in a five-game series last season and missing out on signing Juan Soto in free agency, New York secured Fried with an impressive $218 million, eight-year contract—the largest deal for a left-handed pitcher in history. Fried had an outstanding record of 54-25 with a 2.81 ERA over five seasons with the Braves, playing a crucial role in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series championship.
Meanwhile, for the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday marks the first day under their new manager, Terry Francona. Last season, the Reds finished with a 77-85 record, but they have a strong lineup of promising young talent, spearheaded by ace pitcher Hunter Greene. Francona has an impressive track record, having secured two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox and leading Cleveland to six playoff appearances during his 11-year tenure, including a run to the World Series in 2016.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are also making waves this offseason by adding significant talent to their roster. They welcomed two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and the Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki to their ranks. The rotation received a further lift on Tuesday with the arrival of veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who is anticipated to re-sign with the Dodgers for an 18th season, despite entering camp as a free agent.
Arguably, the most significant boost to Los Angeles’ rotation comes with the return of Shohei Ohtani. Having undergone elbow surgery that sidelined him for the 2024 season, Ohtani is expected to provide a media update on his recovery timeline on Wednesday, which has many fans eager for his return.
