Around the MLB: Feb. 29

Spring Training Highlights

It didn’t take long for the one of newest Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani, to homer in his first spring training game against the White Sox. Ohtani hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, the first of many in Dodger blue as fans gave him a standing ovation as he rounded the bases.

Japanese starting pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, impressed in his Dodgers debut on Feb. 28. Yamamoto went two innings, only giving up one hit and striking out three in the loss to the Rangers.

Juan Soto made his debut in pinstripes against the Blue Jays where he hit a three-run shot in the sixth inning.

The No. 3 ranked prospect in MLB, Pirates’ starting pitcher Paul Skenes, is set to make his highly anticipated debut on February 29 against the Orioles. For the Orioles, the No. 1 prospect in MLB, shortstop Jackson Holliday, will be in the lineup for this matchup as the newly acquired ace Corbin Burnes, who was traded from the Brewers, will make his spring training debut.

Free Agency and Trades

Some notable free agent signings and other offseason moves happened just as spring training started in mid-February.

Outfielder Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a three-year, $80 million deal. Bellinger batted .307 with 26 home runs, 97 RBI and an .881 OPS last year, solidifying his comeback season with the Cubs while on a one-year deal. This prompted his new deal as the Cubs see Bellinger as a piece for their future.

The Dodgers re-signed utility man Kiké Hernández to a one-year, $4 million deal after he was traded back to LA at the deadline.

To make room for Hernández, the Dodgers traded outfielder Manuel Margot and two minor leaguers to the Twins in exchange for shortstop prospect Noah Miller. Margot was acquired by the Dodgers earlier in the offseason when they traded for starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow from the Rays.

Even as spring training games have already begun, there are still a good amount of free agents left on the market, including third baseman Matt Chapman and starting pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell, the reigning NL Cy Young.

Wardrobe Malfunction

MLB debuted their new uniforms designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics. Right away, there were noticeable changes in these uniforms that have become controversial points between fans and even players.

On the jerseys, the player’s name appears in a smaller font, and the MLB logo is placed right above the number, giving it a crowded and cheap look. The pants have to be the real kicker though, as they appear to be see-through given the new material the uniforms are made out of.

Caitlyn Brooks is a first-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email crb6283@psu.edu.