Full-squad exercises in Spring Coaching have begun, and there will probably be a number of gamers seeking to show themselves after accidents, underperformance or different components put them in a extra precarious place than they’d prefer to be getting into the 2026 season.
Whether or not it is a former high prospect who has but to make a sustained affect within the Majors, a veteran reliever seeking to bounce again from a poor exhibiting in 2025, or perhaps a newly acquired slugger set to make his Main League debut after changing into a star in Japan, here is a take a look at one participant from every group with probably the most to show getting into camp:
Blue Jays: INF Kazuma OkamotoReplacing Bo Bichette would require an effort from a half-dozen totally different gamers, however none greater than Okamoto, which is an unfair expectation to thrust upon the Japanese star making the transfer to Main League Baseball. The Blue Jays gave Okamoto a four-year, $60 million deal, although, and it’s clear they consider in his skill to be an on a regular basis massive leaguer. Okamoto might want to alter to MLB pitching rapidly, and relying on how the Blue Jays deploy Addison Barger, Okamoto may see vital taking part in time at third base. On a roster that’s pretty set on the place participant facet, Okamoto is the final word variable right here, able to elevating this whole lineup if he carries over his lengthy monitor report of success from Japan. — Keegan Matheson
Orioles: OF Colton CowserAfter Cedric Mullins was traded to the Mets final July 31, Cowser took over as Baltimore’s main middle fielder. Now, the O’s consider Cowser is able to dealing with the place on an on a regular basis foundation for a full season, therefore why they didn’t purchase a beginning middle fielder this offseason and as an alternative addressed the nook outfield spots and different areas of their roster. Cowser is not going to solely must show he can proceed to be a powerful defender in middle, however the 25-year-old is aiming for a bounce-back offensive season after hitting .196 with a .655 OPS in 92 video games final season. — Jake Rill
Rays: LHP Shane McClanahanThe Rays will handle expectations for McClanahan as rigorously as they deal with his workload, however it’s onerous to disclaim the affect he may have on their rotation if he completes a wholesome return to the mound. The left-hander was Tampa Bay’s unquestioned ace from the second half of the 2021 season till his most up-to-date Main League begin on Aug. 2, 2023. Tommy John surgical procedure value him the remainder of ‘23 and all of ‘24, then a nerve situation in his left triceps saved him off the mound final yr. The lefty got here to camp with a clear invoice of well being and a brand new outlook on life, so all that’s left to do is pitch. — Adam Berry
Yankees: OF Jasson DomÃnguezDomÃnguez’s taking part in time dropped considerably within the second half final season, and with Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham returning to affix Aaron Decide within the outfield, it’s unclear how the Yankees intend to seek out at-bats for DomÃnguez. Starting the yr with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will not be out of the query. Supervisor Aaron Boone factors out that DomÃnguez remains to be simply 23 years outdated and may gain advantage from further growth time, particularly within the outfield and towards left-handed pitching. DomÃnguez will attempt to change that this spring. — Bryan Hoch
Guardians: OF Nolan JonesJones completed fourth in NL Rookie of the Yr Award voting in 2023 with the Rockies, however has handled accidents and offensive struggles the previous two seasons. The Guardians reacquired their one-time high prospect final March, and he slashed .211/.296/.304 with 5 homers over 136 video games in 2025. Cleveland believes in Jones’ potential; it averted arbitration with him in November (one-year, $2 million deal). However the membership has a bevy of younger outfielders vying for taking part in time this spring, and Jones will look to have a powerful camp to start placing final season behind him. — Tim Stebbins
Royals: 2B Jonathan IndiaIndia’s struggles in 2025 are nicely documented, amplified by the truth that the Royals acquired him to be an on-base leadoff man for them and he completed the yr with profession lows in batting common (.233), on-base proportion (.323) and slugging proportion (.346). The Royals nonetheless tendered him a contract and agreed to an $8 million deal to keep away from arbitration, staking their perception in a bounce-back yr for the 29-year-old. The second base job is his to lose, however it’s nonetheless a prove-it yr for India, not simply to place his first season with the Royals behind him, but additionally as a result of he’ll be a free agent at season’s finish. — Anne Rogers
Twins: RHP Bailey OberOber was Mr. Dependable for his first 4 seasons, then suffered by way of simply his worst marketing campaign in 2025, as a hip damage threw his mechanics out of whack. He’s written in because the No. 3 starter, and he feels good about his hip and his supply. However the Twins nonetheless must see that Ober appears to be like extra just like the 2023-24 model of himself than the pitcher who endured such a tough ‘25. — Matthew Leach
White Sox: LHPs Noah Schultz and Hagen SmithIt isn’t a lot about proving one thing for the highest pitching prospects within the group, because the White Sox know the expertise this duo possesses and know they gained’t be breaking camp with the group. They each had up-and-down 2025 campaigns, with some minor damage issues included, however they each had excellent offseasons to place them in place for a powerful ‘26. Supervisor Will Venable desires them to develop strong routines throughout the diamond and weight room, with their debuts on the horizon this season. — Scott Merkin
Angels: RHP Alek ManoahManoah was signed to a one-year deal value $1.95 million after he didn’t pitch within the Majors in 2025 as a result of Tommy John surgical procedure. However Manoah is wholesome now and seeking to recapture his type from early in his profession with the Blue Jays, together with being an All-Star in ‘22 and posting a 2.24 ERA in 31 begins. He’s competing for the fifth spot within the rotation and has loads of upside, however has to show he’s wholesome and efficient. — Rhett Bollinger
Astros: 3B Carlos CorreaCorrea returned to the group that took him with the No. 1 total choose in 2012, when he was traded from the Twins final July. The blockbuster deal got here on the heels of the Astros shedding third baseman Isaac Paredes to an damage that noticed Correa make the transfer to 3rd (All-Star Jeremy Peña is firmly entrenched at shortstop). Correa returned to his function because the unequivocal clubhouse chief, and the Astros at the moment are procuring Paredes. The onus will probably be on Correa, 31, to remain wholesome and provides them middle-of-the-order run manufacturing. — Brian McTaggart
Athletics: CF Denzel ClarkeClarke confirmed why the A’s consider he’s going to win a number of Gold Glove Awards with numerous highlight-reel catches final season. His offensive sport, nevertheless, stays a query mark, as he hit .230 with a .646 OPS as a rookie. There have been indicators of enchancment on the plate earlier than a Grade 2 adductor pressure lower his first Main League season quick on July 20. Over his closing 12 video games, Clarke hit .333 with 9 extra-base hits and a 1.006 OPS. His elite protection alone will hold him within the massive leagues, however continued enhancements as a hitter may make him a star. — MartÃn Gallegos
Mariners: The suitable discipline platoonThis may stretch the parameters of this train, however as a result of Luke Raley and Victor Robles are every coming off injury-plagued seasons — and that they’re the main candidates for a timeshare on the similar place — their conditions run parallel sufficient that they every have one thing to show. Raley (indirect and again accidents) and Robles (fractured shoulder) missed vital time in 2025, after being two of Seattle’s best gamers in ’24. They’ll every make the ’26 group, however there isn’t any query that the roster’s flooring will rise mightily in the event that they get again to type. — Daniel Kramer
Rangers: RHP Kumar RockerThe Rangers’ 2022 first-rounder broke camp with the large league membership final season, however finally posted a 5.74 ERA throughout 64 1/3 innings and was shut down in mid-August to work on mechanical points in Arizona. Now he’s in competitors for the fifth-starter spot. Supervisor Skip Schumaker stated he desires Rocker to exit and earn it this spring, however he’s acquired to show that he’s nonetheless that man with ace-like potential. — Kennedi Landry
Braves: RHP Spencer StriderStrider entered the 2024 season as one in all baseball’s most electrical pitchers. Two begins later, he underwent his second main elbow surgical procedure in 5 years. Can he get again to being the man who struck out 37.4 % of the batters he confronted from 2022-23? Or will he be extra like he was when he returned in 2025 and recorded a 24.3 % strikeout charge and a 4.45 ERA over 23 begins? — Mark Bowman
Marlins: 3B Connor NorbyNorby, who was poised to function the membership’s Opening Day third baseman and grow to be a breakout star in 2025, as an alternative made three journeys to the injured record and posted a 95 OPS+. This spring, he will probably be competing with Graham Pauley for the third base job whereas additionally getting some outfield reps. Which is the actual Norby: The promising bat from the tip of 2024 or the one always tinkering in ’25? — Christina De Nicola
Mets: RHP Kodai SengaLast we noticed Senga, the Mets had demoted him to Triple-A Syracuse following a poor run of huge league outcomes, which continued into the Minors. Regardless of a degree of desperation within the Main League rotation, Senga by no means made it again. It is now been two consecutive years of accidents and inconsistencies for Senga, whose incapacity to appropriate points rapidly as soon as they come up has exasperated Mets officers. The group regarded into buying and selling Senga this offseason however by no means discovered a companion. He has two years and $30 million remaining on his contract and, if the Mets need to extract extra worth from it, they will want Senga to start pitching higher quickly. — Anthony DiComo
Nationals: C Harry FordAfter arising in a corporation the place the catcher function was locked in by MVP finalist Cal Raleigh, Ford (Nationals’ No. 2 prospect, No. 71 total) has a possibility for vital taking part in time with the Nationals. Ford, who was traded to Washington from Seattle in December, is in competitors with Keibert Ruiz for the beginning job. Ruiz has six years of Main League expertise in comparison with Ford’s eight video games, however Ruiz’s workload will probably be carefully watched after he handled concussions final season. Ford, 22, will probably be tasked with attending to know the Nationals’ pitching workers in addition to Workforce Nice Britain within the World Baseball Traditional. — Jessica Camerato
Phillies: RHP Aaron NolaNola went 5-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 17 begins final season. It was the best ERA by a Phillies pitcher (minimal 90 innings) since Nick Pivetta’s 6.02 ERA in 2017. Unhealthy seasons occur. However what made Nola’s troubles regarding is that he’s 32, and he has thrown extra innings and extra pitches than anyone in baseball since 2017. Nola is also getting into the third yr of a seven-year, $178 million contract. They want him to bounce again, figuring out Zack Wheeler is getting back from surgical procedure, Jesús Luzardo and Taijuan Walker are free brokers after the season and prospect Andrew Painter hasn’t thrown an inning but within the massive leagues. — Todd Zolecki
Brewers: CF Garrett MitchellMilwaukee’s first-round Draft choose in 2020 has been a five-tool expertise when wholesome, with a 112 OPS+, 23 stolen bases and 13 homers in 390 regular-season at-bats since 2022. The difficulty has been staying wholesome. He’s missed vital time with a knee damage (2021), an indirect damage (‘22), shoulder surgical procedure (‘23), a fractured finger (‘24) and indirect and shoulder accidents in ‘25. The latest shoulder damage required a restore of his earlier restore, and ended Mitchell’s 2025 season in June. He reached arbitration eligibility this previous offseason and signed for $950,000, positioning the 27-year-old to enter one other yr because the frontrunner to be the on a regular basis middle fielder. — Adam McCalvy
Cardinals: OF Jordan WalkerThe Cardinals have stated Walker’s spring numbers don’t matter as a lot as merely seeing him take good at-bats. And he seemingly has a beginning spot in St. Louis’ outfield it doesn’t matter what. However after producing a 68 OPS+ and a 30.7% strikeout charge over his previous two seasons (574 plate appearances), there’s some strain on the Playing cards’ former No. 1 prospect to implement his offseason work — together with adjustments to his swing and setup within the batter’s field — and present that he might be the dreaded slugger that this lineup sorely lacks. — Brian Murphy
Cubs: RHP Porter HodgeThe 24-year-old Hodge emerged as a trusted late-inning arm as a rookie in 2024, logging a 1.88 ERA in 39 appearances and amassing 9 saves. The hard-throwing righty regarded poised to grow to be a fixture behind video games for Chicago, however accidents and command woes plagued his ‘25 marketing campaign. Hodge had a 6.27 ERA in 36 video games final yr for the Cubs between stints on the injured record and stops with Triple-A Iowa. This spring, he will probably be seeking to earn a spot within the Opening Day bullpen and presents an X-factor of kinds because the North Siders enter ‘25 with a rebuilt aid corps. — Jordan Bastian
Pirates: C Henry DavisWhen the Bucs took Davis with the highest choose within the 2021 MLB Draft, they have been as enthusiastic about his bat-to-ball skill as they have been his energy bat. He has struggled on the plate although, significantly final season, when he slashed .167/.234/.278. That’s not all on Davis, who additionally couldn’t acquire a lot momentum when splitting lineup time with two different catchers (Joey Bart and Endy RodrÃguez). Davis is definitely the very best defensive catcher out of the quartet at present in camp (additionally Rafael Flores Jr.), and if he can get scorching on the plate just like the Pirates consider he’s able to doing, it will go a great distance towards claiming a extra full-time function within the lineup. — Daybreak Klemish
Reds: 2B Matt McLainAfter being one of many membership’s greatest hitters as a rookie in 2023, McLain noticed his whole 2024 season worn out by left shoulder surgical procedure due to a Spring Coaching mishap. Though wholesome in ’25, he struggled a lot of the season and was dropped from second within the lineup to the underside portion. As a result of he is a powerful defender and baserunner who performs onerous, supervisor Terry Francona caught with McLain final season and he is anticipating him to be a part of his 2026 lineup. However the Reds want to see what McLain can do offensively now that he is two full years faraway from his surgical procedure. If profitable, he would match properly again within the No. 2 spot within the order. — Mark Sheldon
D-backs: OF Jordan LawlarSelected sixth total within the 2021 MLB Draft as a highschool shortstop, Lawlar has been as much as the large leagues a couple of instances however for a wide range of causes has not gotten an prolonged interval of constant taking part in time. Now with accidents to outfielders Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and the commerce of Jake McCarthy, Lawlar will get an prolonged look this spring within the outfield. With a great spring, he may open the season with loads of taking part in time and an opportunity to point out what he can do. — Steve Gilbert
Dodgers: LHP Tanner ScottScott’s first season of a four-year, $72 million deal didn’t go nicely, as he posted a 4.74 ERA with an MLB-worst 10 blown saves. He didn’t heat up through the NL Wild Card Collection or NL Division Collection earlier than being faraway from the postseason roster following a process to deal with a lower-body abscess. If Scott can bounce again, it’ll create fairly the 1-2 punch on the again finish of the bullpen with new nearer Edwin DÃaz. — Sonja Chen
Giants: RHP Hayden BirdsongBirdsong opened the 2025 marketing campaign within the Giants’ bullpen and pitched so nicely that he ended up forcing his method again into the rotation by late Could. However the 24-year-old right-hander inexplicably misplaced his command after that, struggling to a 6.17 ERA over 10 begins earlier than being optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on the finish of July. Birdsong ended up spending the remainder of the season within the Minors, however the Giants are banking on a return to type from him this spring. If he can get into the strike zone extra persistently, Birdsong may elevate the ceiling of the Giants’ pitching workers by a substantial margin. — Maria Guardado
Padres: RHP Matt WaldronThe race for spots behind the Padres’ rotation is huge open. However Waldron might want to bounce again from a disappointing 2025 season and is out of choices, that means he’d be uncovered to waivers if he doesn’t make the group. Waldron isn’t a standard knuckleballer who throws the pitch nearly solely. He’s struggled to steadiness his knuckleball/fastball/slider combine. When he does, he’s confirmed he might be efficient within the massive leagues. However it’s been some time since he has, and Waldron could also be working out of time in San Diego. — AJ Cassavell
Rockies: RHP Ryan FeltnerFeltner completed 2024 with a flourish — a 2.75 ERA with a .227 batting common towards in his closing 15 begins. Final season was marred by again and proper shoulder accidents. After the shoulder points cropped up, Feltner completed 0-2 with a 4.75 ERA in simply six Main League begins. Had the Rockies saved issues the identical after going 43-119, an argument might be made for Feltner because the No. 2 starter. The group has added free-agent signees Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana and Tomoyuki Sugano. But when a wholesome Feltner clicks with a brand new set of pitching coaches and performs to his capabilities, he could have a outstanding spot in what figures to be a greater rotation. — Thomas Harding
