Spring Training storylines for each team

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training this week, the sound of baseballs hitting gloves within the heat climate of Arizona and Florida will once more be music to our ears. With Spring Training upon us, we requested every MLB.com beat author to focus on a key storyline for his or her membership heading into camp:

Blue Jays: Who is the No. 5 starter?
This camp isn’t precisely stocked with competitions, however the No. 5 starter’s function can be. Yusei Kikuchi might have the within monitor, given his upside and contract, however Mitch White could have a shot on the function together with anybody else the Blue Jays add between now and Opening Day on March 30. Don’t anticipate there to be an excessive quantity of persistence with Kikuchi, although, and with Hyun Jin Ryu doubtlessly coming back from Tommy John surgical procedure mid-season and No. 1 prospect Ricky Tiedemann on his manner, this No. 5 job might have many faces in 2023. — Keegan Matheson

Orioles: Will Grayson Rodriguez make the rotation?
Rodriguez, the No. 7 general prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, can be a high participant to observe in O’s camp this spring. The 23-year-old right-hander has but to make his huge league debut — a three-month IL stint because of a proper lat pressure prevented it from occurring in 2022 — however he has a professional likelihood to make the Orioles’ Opening Day rotation. In truth, normal supervisor Mike Elias has acknowledged quite a few occasions that he believes Rodriguez has the within monitor for a spot. But the 2018 first-round Draft choose will nonetheless must earn it in Spring Training. — Jake Rill

Rays: How is the lineup coming collectively?
The Rays didn’t make any strikes this offseason to enhance a lineup that sputtered and in the end crashed down the stretch, so we’re placing three key questions beneath one umbrella. How wholesome are Wander Franco and Brandon Lowe, two key hitters who missed quite a lot of time because of accidents final season? Will they make any strikes to change the composition of their place participant group, as they did by buying Harold Ramírez and Isaac Paredes final spring? And in the event that they stand pat, what are we seeing from the bounce-back/breakthrough candidates they’ll be relying on to enhance the lineup from inside? — Adam Berry

Red Sox: Sale is wholesome. Will he keep wholesome?
All eyes can be on Chris Sale when Spring Training begins. Sale was thrilled to divulge to reporters at Winter Weekend final month that he’s absolutely wholesome once more. But as Sale and the Red Sox realized all too nicely lately, it issues not how he feels at the beginning of camp, but when he could make it to the top on monitor to be on the Opening Day roster, one thing he hasn’t been capable of do since 2019. The good news is that none of Sale’s accidents in ’22 have been arm-related. The unhealthy news is that he made solely two begins because of three completely different accidents wherein he suffered a damaged bone. — Ian Browne

Yankees: Next gen shortstops?
Youth may very well be served this spring, with infield prospects Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe each in camp to problem shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who endured defensive struggles that prompted his benching through the playoffs. If Peraza resoundingly wins the job, Kiner-Falefa might shift right into a utility function, providing Volpe extra growth time after the 21-year-old logged simply 99 plate appearances at Triple-A final 12 months. Volpe is the Yanks’ No. 1 prospect in accordance with MLB Pipeline, and Peraza is ranked No. 3. — Bryan Hoch

Guardians: Who would be the backup catcher?
It’s unusual for this to be the most important place battle heading into camp for the Guardians, however with the remainder of their roster largely sorted out, this can be their largest headache. The workforce might want to determine rapidly if Mike Zunino (thoracic outlet syndrome surgical procedure) is wholesome and able to tackle the beginning job. If so, Cleveland might want to kind by means of 4 non-roster backstops and Bryan Lavastida, who’s already on the 40-man roster, to deal with the backup duties earlier than the Guardians deem Bo Naylor (No. 64 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects checklist) able to make the transition to the Majors. — Mandy Bell

Royals: Who’s in heart area?
A significant query for the Royals in 2023 is who their future heart fielder can be — and whether or not that participant is already within the group. They traded Michael A. Taylor this winter to open the place for younger gamers, particularly Kyle Isbel and Drew Waters. Those two will compete for the Opening Day heart area job, however each will get ample taking part in time this season both in heart or proper area. Both obtain excessive grades for his or her protection, and each have offensive ceiling. What the Royals discover out about each of them this 12 months can be a key consider figuring out the longer term outfield in Kansas City. — Anne Rogers

Tigers: Is Tork prepared to interrupt out after tough rookie season?
The Tigers signed no free-agent hitters to assured contracts this offseason, opting as an alternative to go away alternatives for younger hitters to indicate whether or not they’re part of the answer to Detroit’s offensive woes. No younger Tiger looms bigger in that regard than Spencer Torkelson, whose struggles final 12 months landed him again at Triple-A Toledo at midseason earlier than he confirmed indicators of hope in a September return. He believes his swing can work, and the Tigers wish to give him each alternative to seek out out in order that new president of baseball operations Scott Harris can plan for the long run. — Jason Beck

Twins: Is there as a lot beginning depth because it appears?
On paper, the Twins have a rotation logjam, with six MLB-caliber starters jostling for place. But in follow, it’s not so easy due to all of the damage query marks. Kenta Maeda is getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure. Tyler Mahle solely made 4 begins for Minnesota final season because of mysterious shoulder points that the Twins appear to be hoping could have subsided with relaxation. Pablo López pitched a full season final 12 months, however his profession has been riddled with shoulder troubles. Sonny Gray handled hamstring and pectoral points final 12 months. Bailey Ober missed most of final season with recurring groin points. — Do-Hyoung Park

White Sox: How will issues change with Pedro Grifol now in cost?
The 53-year-old all however gained the interview course of to develop into the forty second supervisor in White Sox historical past throughout his first of 4 conferences with varied entrance workplace members. He has been eloquent, targeted and understatedly assured and upbeat throughout his media interactions since formally being introduced somewhat greater than three months in the past. But Grifol and the White Sox perceive that true outcomes and victories come when the gamers take the sphere, particularly with the 81-81 disappointment from ’22 nonetheless contemporary in followers’ minds. It all begins on Feb. 15. — Scott Merkin

Angels: Who would be the membership’s sixth starter?
One of the most important competitions in camp can be for the ultimate spot within the rotation. The Angels have a number of inner candidates for that sixth spot, together with lefty Tucker Davidson and right-handers Chase Silseth, Griffin Canning, Chris Rodriguez, Jaime Barría and Davis Daniel. It’s too early to call a favourite for that sixth spot and there’s nonetheless an opportunity the Angels might signal or commerce for one more starter. But Canning and Rodriguez are intriguing as a result of they’ve had success within the Majors, however each missed the 2022 season because of damage. Davidson can be out of Minor League choices, which might assist his case as a result of he’d need to be uncovered to waivers if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster. — Rhett Bollinger

Astros: Who’s the backup catcher?
The Astros flirted with including a catcher to again up veteran starter Martín Maldonado this 12 months, however in the end determined to let prospects Yainer Diaz and Korey Lee compete for the job. Both spent most of final 12 months at Triple-A Sugar Land. Lee, the workforce’s No. 7 prospect, had some ups and downs mechanically on the plate however has an elite arm behind it; Diaz, the workforce’s No. 3 prospect, is taken into account a greater hitter, plus he can play first base. — Brian McTaggart

Athletics: How will the A’s assemble their beginning rotation?
Not solely do the A’s not know who their Opening Day starter can be, however there’s main uncertainty as to which 5 beginning pitchers they’ll even break camp with. The group of candidates consists of left-handers Ken Waldichuk, JP Sears and Kyle Muller, together with right-handers Paul Blackburn, James Kaprielian, Drew Rucinski, Shintaro Fujinami and Adrián Martínez. How the rotation shapes up might largely be decided by efficiency within the Cactus League. — Martín Gallegos

Mariners: How they handle younger arms
Homegrown pitchers Logan Gilbert and George Kirby have been big catalysts within the Mariners’ drought-ending postseason journey final 12 months, every emptying the tank nicely into October. They additionally threw a career-high 185 2/3 and 156 2/3 innings (for Kirby, it consists of the Minors), respectively, with workload administration a well-chronicled matter all through. Seattle’s entrance workplace is cognizant that each can be simply as very important to the membership getting again to the playoffs this 12 months — and of the doable reverberating results from final 12 months’s workloads. — Daniel Kramer

Rangers: Did the Rangers do sufficient to enhance their offense?
They didn’t add a single offensive participant on an enormous league deal and can enter 2023 with kind of the identical lineup as ’22. There is a strong core with Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Nathaniel Lowe and Adolis García that can be aided by high prospect Josh Jung and the return of Mitch Garver. Texas’ pitching additions enhance the squad as a complete, however a workforce that slashes .239/.301/.395 like final season isn’t profitable a World Series. More than one participant might want to take a step ahead this season. — Kennedi Landry

Braves:  Who would be the shortstop?
The Braves have expertise all through their rotation and bullpen, however the pitching employees’s worth can be influenced by who replaces Dansby Swanson on the shortstop place. Vaughn Grissom hung out figuring out with infield guru Ron Washington this winter and will get an opportunity. But he doesn’t have the expertise possessed by Orlando Arcia, who was the Brewers’ beginning shortstop from 2017-2020. If the Braves don’t go together with Grissom or Arcia, they may go together with Adeiny Hechavarria, who’s coming to camp as a non-roster invitee. — Mark Bowman

Marlins: How will Jazz’s transition to heart area go?
The acquisition of Luis Arraez means transferring Chisholm, the NL’s All-Star beginning second baseman in 2022, to a place that Miami hasn’t been capable of fill since dealing Starling Marte on the ’21 Trade Deadline. Chisholm believes he can develop into a top-five heart fielder in ’23 regardless of by no means having performed within the outfield earlier than. General supervisor Kim Ng pointed to Chisholm’s athleticism as the rationale for why the experiment ought to work. — Christina De Nicola

Mets: What in regards to the children?
With respect to Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga and all the opposite new faces, the actual drama in Port St. Lucie, Fla., will revolve round a pair of kids: high prospects Francisco Álvarez and Brett Baty. Both debuted late final season amidst vital expectations, however the Mets possess sufficient veteran expertise that neither prospect is assured an Opening Day job. Álvarez is more likely to start within the Minors to proceed growing defensively behind the plate, however a powerful spring might make issues awkward for Mets officers. Baty, in the meantime, has an actual likelihood to develop into the beginning third baseman if he turns heads in February and March. — Anthony DiComo

Nationals: Who will begin at third base?
The beginning job has been decided in Spring Training lately, and the choice can be finalized in camp this season, too. Veteran Jeimer Candelario signed in November, and he expressed an curiosity in an on a regular basis third-base function, the place he has performed nearly all of his profession. The Nationals additionally will give reps to Carter Kieboom, who’s coming back from Tommy John surgical procedure that sidelined him for your entire 2022 season. Prospect Jake Alu made a case for giant league consideration following a breakout Triple-A efficiency, and veteran infielder Ildemaro Vargas is returning after making 43 begins at third final 12 months with the Nats. — Jessica Camerato

Phillies: Does Andrew Painter make the workforce?
Dave Dombrowski stated it himself final summer time: “I’ve had no problem pitching guys who are 20 years old and having a lot of success and putting them in the big leagues.” Enter Painter, who’s the No. 6 prospect in baseball. He has a really actual likelihood to make the Opening Day roster because the workforce’s No. 5 starter. Painter turns 20 on April 10, however he has the products to win a job. — Todd Zolecki

Brewers: Figure out the rejiggered bullpen
Seven pitchers logged greater than 30 reduction innings for Milwaukee final season. Four of them, together with Josh Hader, are gone. Devin Williams is locked in at nearer and setup man Matt Bush is again after a shaky last two months. He’s out of Minor League choices. New arms like Bryse Wilson, Javy Guerra and Joel Payamps are additionally out of choices. Said supervisor Craig Counsell: “It’s definitely the area in [exhibition] games where we have the most to learn.” — Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: How will the outfield shake out, particularly rookie sensation Jordan Walker?
On a workforce plagued by infield stars, the Cardinals’ outfield is stuffed with query marks. That’s the case after Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson slumped all through injury-riddled seasons. Enter Walker and Lars Nootbaar to boost the competitors. Nootbaar had exit velocity, hard-hit and stroll fee profiles final season that mirrored these of superstars. As for Walker, the 20-year-old has the physique of a full-grown man and he has a powerful psychological maturity to match. If Walker hits and handles proper area, he’ll seemingly be the Opening Day starter. The Cardinals would favor O’Neill, Carlson and Nootbaar to be their beginning outfield, however they aren’t about to dam a possible star for the subsequent decade. — John Denton

Cubs: How will the Hendricks state of affairs affect the pitching employees?
The Cubs made it clear at their fan conference in January that veteran Kyle Hendricks’ restoration from final season’s proper shoulder damage might linger past Opening Day. The rotation is in higher form to soak up that blow with Marcus Stroman, Jameson Taillon, Drew Smyly and Justin Steele within the fold, however it nonetheless could have a trickle-down affect on the pitching employees. There can be a gaggle of arms vying for the open fifth spot, and those who don’t get that job might slide into the race for the a number of vacancies within the bullpen. Or possibly a prospect like Hayden Wesneski can win the job and keep away from a visit again to the Minors. Then, supervisor David Ross should choose his Opening Day starter, if Hendricks’ streak of three straight nods does certainly come to an finish. — Jordan Bastian

Pirates: The ballad of Bryan Reynolds
When Reynolds’s commerce request went public previous to the Winter Meetings, there was a widespread perception that the Pirates would commerce their All-Star heart fielder for a bundle of prospects and younger expertise. As we enter Spring Training, Reynolds remains to be a Pittsburgh Pirate, and until circumstances drastically change within the subsequent a number of weeks, there’s a great likelihood that he’ll be suiting up for the black and gold on Opening Day. Still, questions stay coming into camp. If something, Reynolds nonetheless being right here creates much more questions. How a lot will Reynolds expose? Will he categorical a want to remain, or will he stay ambiguous? Will he communicate on any potential extension talks? — Justice delos Santos

Reds: Will Joey Votto be prepared for Opening Day?
Entering the ultimate 12 months of his 10-year, $225 million contract extension, Votto is coming off the worst 12 months of his storied profession and nonetheless rehabbing from an August surgical procedure that repaired a torn rotator cuff and biceps in his left shoulder. The rehab has been a gradual and typically irritating course of and normal supervisor Nick Krall lately disclosed that the 39-year-old Votto was not anticipated to be full-go for the beginning of camp. Manager David Bell remained optimistic that the primary baseman would be capable to get himself prepared in time for what may very well be his last Opening Day in Cincinnati. The membership anticipated to know a clearer timetable as soon as Votto reviews to camp in Goodyear, Ariz. If he isn’t prepared for the opener, proper fielder Wil Myers could be the most probably candidate to shift to first base. — Mark Sheldon

D-backs: Who wins the ultimate rotation spot?
As it appears proper now, 4 pitchers head into camp as frontrunners for the rotation: Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Madison Bumgarner and Zach Davies. That leaves one spot open and there are a slew of younger pitching candidates who might fill it. Tommy Henry, Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson, who made their huge league debuts final 12 months, together with Brandon Pfaadt, who would have if not for the truth that the D-backs didn’t want so as to add him to the 40-man roster this winter, are the lead candidates. — Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: Who performs heart area?
Cody Bellinger struggled on the plate in every of the final three seasons, however he gave the Dodgers an above-average defender in heart area. With him gone, the Dodgers don’t have a transparent substitute at a key place. Chris Taylor, Trayce Thompson, Bradley Zimmer, James Outman and Jason Heyward will all get loads of appears this spring. Unless, after all, the Dodgers can swing a commerce for a middle fielder earlier than Opening Day. — Juan Toribio

Giants: Will the Giants signal Logan Webb to a long-term extension?
During a latest dialogue about Aaron Judge’s choice to re-sign with the Yankees, Webb talked about that he’d “love to be a Giant for life.” Webb, 26, gained’t be eligible without cost company till after the 2025 season, however president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi confirmed that they’ve had some talks a couple of long-term deal this offseason. Locking up the membership’s homegrown ace would definitely go a great distance towards appeasing Giants followers, lots of whom have been deeply upset by the workforce’s incapability to land a celebrity this winter. — Maria Guardado

Padres: Fernando Tatis Jr. is again
Tatis has 20 video games left to serve on his suspension, however he can nonetheless be a full participant in camp — and he stated he expects to be. At Padres FanFest, Tatis famous he’s “as close to 100 percent as I’ve been in the last two years.” It’ll be an eventful spring for Tatis, who has undergone three surgical procedures since he final performed and nonetheless doesn’t have a set place. The expectation is that Tatis will return as an outfielder. — AJ Cassavell

Rockies: Kris Bryant’s do-over
The signing of Bryant as a free agent final spring despatched enthusiasm by means of camp. But the previous NL MVP solely appeared in 42 video games through the 2022 marketing campaign because of again and foot accidents. During the fleeting time that Bryant was current and wholesome, the Rockies’ lineup confirmed indicators of functioning nicely. They have been 10-6 when he left a sport at Philadelphia with the again difficulty, and he hit .341 through the second stint again from the injured checklist. Early within the offseason, supervisor Bud Black and normal supervisor Bill Schmidt reported that Bryant had healed, they usually anticipated no carryover into this season. The Rockies’ lineup is constructed round Bryant, a four-time All-Star. — Thomas Harding