It’s Wednesday, and if it’s Wednesday, it’s not Meet the Links.
In Mariners news…
- Mitch Garver underwent x-rays following his HBP on Monday that revealed he suffered no fractures. Rick Rizzs also saw team doctors and has been cleared to continue his duties.
- Baseball Prospectus highlighted how thin the tightrope is with George Kirby starting the season on the IL.
- The Mariners have revamped their Value Menu options for the 2025 season!
Around the league…
- Mark your calendar! The league has set the trade deadline this season for Thursday, July 31st, at 6 pm ET.
- The shroud of mystery surrounding negotiations between the Blue Jays and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is slowly dissolving. The Blue Jays apparently offered Guerrero Jr. a contract worth approximately $500 million before negotiations were stopped entirely by Vlad’s representatives. ($)
- Spring Training is always a rat’s nest of barely decipherable statistics, and this season is no exception. But the good people over at ESPN have selected a few that deserve special focus.
- Lucas Giolito made his return to the mound yesterday, but immediately after throwing his first pitch he experienced tightness in his left hamstring. Giolito will get an MRI today.
- The Chicago Cubs announced that their number one prospect Matt Shaw will be on the travel roster for their Opening Day series in Tokyo next week.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters in Arizona that top prospect Matt Shaw is going to Japan.
@jessenfriedman.bsky.social is on the ground in Mesa and will have all today’s news from there covered on Cubs.com.
— Jordan Bastian (@bastianmlb.bsky.social) 2025-03-11T17:57:51.017Z
- On the flipside, The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that infielder Hyeseong Kim will be starting 2025 in Triple-A and will not be on the travel roster for the series in Tokyo.
- Speaking of the Dodgers, the organization is facing pressure from the California State Senate to end its partnerships with oil and gas companies.
- The Texas Rangers want outfielder Evan Carter to get as many at-bats as possible this spring, even if that means leaving him out of the lineup.
- Rangers pitcher Tyler Mahle missed his start yesterday due to forearm discomfort, a foreboding sentence for any pitcher, but the Rangers don’t seem concerned.
Tyler Mahle was scratched from his start today with what was described as “forearm soreness.” The Rangers say it is an abundance of caution. But it’s the forearm, there is always caution and concern to go around. Jack Leiter will start.
— Evan_P_Grant (@evanpgrant.bsky.social) 2025-03-11T19:38:12.108Z
- The 2026 World Baseball Classic field is set, and some guys made a name for themselves while getting their country through the qualifiers.
- The Oakland Athletics have alienated most of the greater baseball world in their seemingly desperate effort to leave Oakland. Once they finally get to Vegas will people actually make the trip to Vegas just to see the A’s?
- A couple Independent League teams are trying to preserve the rivalry spirit of Bay Area baseball.