A tie, Tommy John claims another two, and more!
Diamondbacks News
(Sports Illustrated) The D-backs Tie the Reds as Pfaadt and Company Pitch Great
First off, Brandon Pfaadt got the start on the mound. It was his first game and appearance of Spring Training as he competes for the final rotation spot.
Pfaadt averaged around 93 mph on his fastball and got two whiffs on three swings on his sweeper with some perfectly located pitches. It was a solid two inning debut as he allowed just one hit and struck out two.
(Arizona Sports) The Athletic’s Jim Bowden: Diamondbacks pegged as bounce-back team in 2025
Just a year removed from a World Series run, the Arizona Diamondbacks fell way short of expectations in 2024.
Despite an upped payroll and added talent, the D-backs watched their postseason dreams end on the final day of the regular season.
But after a busy offseason, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden has the D-backs as one of six bounce-back teams and wouldn’t be surprised if they secure a Wild Card berth in 2025.
[Ed. Note] I really struggle with the term bounce-back here. How can a team that has improved for three straight seasons be “bouncing back”? Was the ending of last season disappointing? Absolutely, but the idea that they took a step back in a season where they added six wins is just odd to me.
(MLBTR) Thyago Vieira, Josh Winder To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo revealed today that right-handers Thyago Vieira and Josh Winder will both require Tommy John surgery, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Both righties had been in camp as non-roster invitees but each will now miss the entire 2025 season.
MLB News
Jake Burger hit his first home run as a member of the Texas Rangers on Thursday. During the fifth inning of the Rangers Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners, Burger, who started at DH, took Blas Castano deep with two outs and a runner on first.
Burger was wearing a hospital band when he hit the home run. It wasn’t his, but one from his four month old daughter Penelope’s successful open-heart surgery, which took place on Monday.
(MLB.com) Twins trio avoids near car crash, shaken by experience
“I look up and I just see a car flying,” infielder Edouard Julien said.
Reliever Jorge Alcala and his brother Juan were in one car, and Julien and outfielder Matt Wallner were in another one behind them. Julien said that a motorist in an oncoming lane drove into a median between the two lanes and went into the air, going over them before landing on their side of the road. Julien said he was able to see the underside of the other vehicle as it passed by.