Good morning. A lot of news today.
- Jeff Passan writes of the coming labor war over a salary cap and how the Dodgers signing Kyle Tucker was the last straw for some owners.
- Evan Drellich tries to explain what impact a salary cap would have on baseball. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- Drellich also speculates whether the White House would insert itself into any CBA negotiations and what that interference might look like, (The Athletic sub. req.)
- MLB also released their guidelines for how the ABS system will work in 2026. Jesse Rogers reports.
- Anthony Castrovince answers some questions on the ABS system that you might have.
- With MLB bringing all umpire training under their control, Katie Woo was on hand for the last days of the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School (The Athletic sub. req.) before it closes for good. It was known as the “Harvard of umpire schools” in its heyday.
- Commissioner Rob Manfred said he’s “optimistic” that MLB players will be allowed to participate in the 2028 Olympics. Manny Randhawa reports.
- MLB owners also voted in favor of a rule that base coaches need to stay in their boxes until a pitch is thrown. This is designed to stop sign-stealing. Jesse Rogers with the story.
- Jeff Passan reports that MLB is considering a partnership with prediction markets. Yeah, nothing bad could happen from that.
- In a totally-unrelated story, Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz is trying to get his pitch-rigging case severed from that of fellow Guardian Emmanuel Clase. (The Athletic sub. req.) This comes after reports that Clase rigged far more pitches than originally reported.
- The Phillies have released outfielder Nick Castellanos, who still had one year and $20 million left on his five-year deal. Castellanos admitted that he was benched last year for bringing beer into the dugout during a game.
- Matt Gelb has the story of how messy the divorce between the Phillies and Castellanos got. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- Now it’s time to pay the butcher’s bill and man, it’s a lot of hamates. Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll underwent hamate bone surgery after breaking it during batting practice. This takes Carroll off of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
- Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor underwent hamate surgery. He hopes to be back for Opening Day.
- Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday broke his hamate bone in batting practice.
- Matt Snyder explains what a hamate bone is and why it breaks.
- Rangers top prospect—and top ten overall prospect—Sebastian Walcott will miss all of 2026 with a torn UCL.
- Utility player Kiké Hernandez announced that he re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $4.5 million deal.
- The Dodgers also signed third baseman Max Muncy to a one-year extension covering 2027 with a club option for 2028.
- Free agent right-hander Chris Bassitt agreed to a one-year, $18.5 million deal with the Orioles.
- Davy Andrews evaluates what the Orioles are getting with Bassitt.
- The Brewers signed catcher Gary Sánchez to a one-year, $1.75 million deal.
- Jay Jaffe looks at what Justin Verlander has left to offer the Tigers.
- Jaffe also tries to find homes for three unsigned free agents.
- Mark Feinsand has 15 players who could still get an extension this winter.
- Blue Jays pitcher José Berrios is in camp and has apologized for leaving the team during their World Series run last year. Berrios returned to Puerto Rico when he went on the injured list. Keegan Matheson reports.
- Mike Petriello has six things to watch for in the WBC.
- Kiri Oler has a preview of Group A and Group B of the WBC.
- Matt Snyder has one reason for fans of all 30 MLB teams to get excited as Spring Training opens.
- Alden Gonzalez has one player to watch on every team in Spring Training.
- Gabe Lacques has one question for all 30 teams on the opening of Spring Training.
- Russell Dorsey has offseason grades for the NL West.
- Jake Mintz has offseason grades for the AL East.
- And Jordan Schusterman hands out grades for the AL Central.
- The college baseball season starts today and R.J. Anderson has five teams to watch.
- Sad news as reliever Elroy Face has died at 97. He’ll be forever known for his 18-1 1959 season, which is a record for winning percentage with a minimum of 15 decisions. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and teammates.
- White Sox general manager Chris Getz admitted that he mistakenly thought his new infielder Luisangel Acuña was a switch-hitter. He publically called Acuña a switch-hitter four times before someone corrected him.
- Brendan Gawlowski reveals some lessons he’s learned as a scout.
- Benjamin Hill has every new alternate identity for minor league teams this year.
- The Rangers will be giving away a “blood-stained” Nolan Ryan jersey on May 29.
- This article will have you rolling your eyes. Brendan Kuty writes about all the young Yankees fans who have never seen their team win a World Series after a 16-year drought.The Athletic sub. req.)
- And finally, Matt Monagan checks in with the one man who single handedly made Kyle Farnsworth the most searched for player on Baseball Reference from the state of Iowa.