1 great unknown for each team ahead of Opening Day

No matter how a lot groups put together as Opening Day nears, there’s at all times an unknown or two — or 5 — that stay. As we construct as much as the beginning of a brand new common season, every MLB.com beat reporter highlights one nice unknown for his or her membership.

Blue Jays: Ricky Tiedemann
The Blue Jays’ prized prospect is ranked No. 32 by MLB Pipeline and has as a lot momentum as virtually any younger arm coming off a spectacular 2022. He’s nonetheless simply 20, however with the lefty anticipated to start out in Double-A, he might rapidly pitch his method into the dialog. Tiedemann spending the total season within the Minor Leagues isn’t out of the query. It by no means is for a 20-year-old, after all. But with Tiedemann’s expertise stage, the upside he might supply the Blue Jays by midseason is simply extremely tantalizing. — Keegan Matheson

Orioles: DL Hall
Will he ultimately crack Baltimore’s beginning rotation? Will he be used as a aid weapon? Hall’s short-term position isn’t fully clear, though the Orioles imagine the 24-year-old’s long-term future stays as a starter. The membership’s No. 7 prospect (and MLB Pipeline’s No. 97 total prospect) has made just one massive league begin, however he thrived out of Baltimore’s bullpen down the stretch final season. The solely certain factor is there’s numerous expertise in Hall’s left arm, which might present a lift to the O’s in considered one of numerous methods. — Jake Rill

Rays: Jose Siri
Siri is 27 years previous, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not fully clear what sort of participant he shall be. We ought to get a a lot better thought this season, as he’s set to be the Rays’ on a regular basis heart fielder. He will make a huge effect on protection, like his predecessor Kevin Kiermaier, after rating among the many sport’s greatest defensive outfielders regardless of solely taking part in in 104 video games for the Astros and Rays final season. Manager Kevin Cash has mentioned the Rays will win video games due to Siri’s velocity on the bases. Can he contribute extra on the plate to turn into a dynamic, all-around menace? — Adam Berry

Red Sox: Trevor Story
How a lot will Trevor Story contribute to the ’23 Red Sox? The shortstop underwent an inside bracing process on his proper elbow in January and isn’t anticipated again till after the All-Star break. If Story can play the whole thing of the second half, and at a excessive stage, it dramatically improves the Red Sox on offense and protection. Story provides pop along with his bat, velocity on the bases and robust protection at both shortstop or second base. There’s an opportunity the Sox might wait till ’24 to maneuver him again to shortstop to minimize the burden on his arm as he comes again. — Ian Browne

But, as Yankees proprietor Hal Steinbrenner cautions, “This is not New York and this is not the regular season.” Volpe appears to have all the proper attributes to reach the Big Apple highlight, and supervisor Aaron Boone has mentioned that he’s focused for a prolonged profession on the high or center of the batting order, whereas remaining in the midst of the diamond defensively. But he additionally has solely 99 plate appearances at Triple-A, the place evaluators believed he wanted extra seasoning. — Bryan Hoch

Guardians: Can Josh Bell be the supply of energy this lineup has desperately wanted?
The Guardians had been hoping for a giant 12 months from Franmil Reyes final season, planting him behind their greatest hitter, José Ramírez, to hopefully present him safety within the lineup. Instead, Reyes struggled massively and ended up being designated for task at first of August. Cleveland is hoping to search out the reply to its lack of energy in Bell, who’s hit 30-plus homers in his previous. And whereas he’s actually a slugging menace, Bell additionally has the power to hit for common, which ought to make him much more harmful to pitch to, permitting Ramírez to lastly obtain the lineup safety he’s wanted. — Mandy Bell

Tigers: Spencer Torkelson
Torkelson debuted final season to lofty expectations however by no means settled in as a Major League hitter, main some evaluators to query if he was referred to as up too quickly within the wake of Riley Greene’s damage. He appeared way more snug and assured on the plate this spring, however will that carry over to the common season? And if it does, is he nonetheless able to turning into a formidable energy hitter and run producer round which Detroit can construct a lineup? — Jason Beck

Twins: What can they anticipate from Alex Kirilloff?
This isn’t nearly 2023; it’s about figuring out if Kirilloff, the membership’s one-time No. 2 prospect, can get his profession again on monitor after persistent proper wrist points led to consecutive season-ending surgical procedures. When wholesome, Kirilloff was anticipated to be a middle-of-the-order bat with a really excessive flooring, the sort who anchors lineups for years and years. He’ll begin the season on the IL as he continues to construct up that wrist — and contemplating he solely is aware of of 1 different MLB participant to have undergone the extra invasive surgical procedure, there’s little precedent for what to anticipate or any explicit timeline, although Kirilloff had ramped as much as Minor League video games by the tip of spring. — Do-Hyoung Park

White Sox: Who will shut?
Liam Hendriks continues to obtain therapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and as top-of-the-line closers within the sport and top-of-the-line clubhouse presences on any roster, he’s unattainable to interchange. The White Sox don’t plan on changing him, as supervisor Pedro Grifol has talked a couple of nearer by committee state of affairs with out utilizing these actual phrases. He’ll examine pockets of high-leverage conditions, in addition to bullpen availability, earlier than deciding who comes into the sport. So, this isn’t a lot an unknown as it’s a query: Does Grifol stick with this explicit plan or attempt to discover one pitcher with the recent hand to complete off victories? The White Sox actually have a handful of succesful aid choices. — Scott Merkin

Angels: Can Anthony Rendon get via a complete season wholesome? 
Rendon was top-of-the-line third basemen in baseball throughout his seven seasons with the Nationals and was rewarded with a seven-year deal value $245 million earlier than the 2020 season. But Rendon has been hampered by accidents over the past two seasons with the Angels, hitting .235/.328/.381 in a mixed 105 video games. He underwent proper wrist surgical procedure final season however had a wholesome offseason and appeared dominant offensively in Spring Training. If he can keep wholesome, it could be big for the Angels. They went 26-20 when he began at third base final 12 months and 47-69 when he didn’t. — Rhett Bollinger

Astros: Is Hunter Brown prepared to affix Houston’s deep rotation?
The damage to Lance McCullers Jr. has opened the door for high pitching prospect Hunter Brown to get his shot on the beginning rotation to start the season. He dominated within the Pacific Coast League final 12 months with a 2.55 ERA, .186 opponents’ batting common and 11.4 strikeouts per 9 innings earlier than the Astros referred to as him up. In 20 1/3 regular-season innings with Houston, he flashed his potential with a 0.89 ERA and even threw three scoreless within the playoffs. Scouts raved about his stuff all spring, and he’ll get a shot within the rotation if he’s not derailed by end-of-spring again tightness. — Brian McTaggart

Athletics: Can Shintaro Fujinami reach MLB as a starter?
Shintaro Fujinami’s signing with the A’s from Japan this offseason got here with numerous fanfare. The right-hander was thought of a prospect on the size of Shohei Ohtani when each had been first-round picks within the 2012 Nippon Professional Baseball Draft, and it’s simple to see why there was a lot hype round Fujinami based mostly on the electrical stuff he’s displayed to this point in Spring Training. If he can get his command in test, Fujinami has ace-level potential. If not, his long-term future in MLB would possibly come within the bullpen. — Martín Gallegos

Mariners: Will the large workloads of George Kirby and Logan Gilbert linger?
Kirby threw greater than twice as many innings in 2022 as he did the 12 months prior, and Gilbert practically reached 200 final season. The Mariners have extra rotation depth than ever earlier than, particularly with prospects Bryce Miller and Emerson Hancock on the MLB cusp. But the well being of Kirby and Gilbert shall be paramount to taking the subsequent step from securing an AL Wild Card to probably profitable the division. — Daniel Kramer

Rangers: Will Josh Jung reside as much as the hype?
The Rangers’ high prospect, Jung is lastly wholesome. He’s anticipated to be the Opening Day third baseman in 2023 and for the foreseeable future, one thing that has been anticipated since he was chosen within the first spherical (eighth total) of the 2019 MLB Draft.

Jung made his MLB debut in September, hitting simply .204 in 26 video games coming off a shoulder damage that delayed his season till August. With a completely wholesome offseason and a cup of espresso towards massive league pitching underneath his belt, Jung must be a strong contributor within the upcoming season. He appeared the half this spring with a .321/.345/.623 slash line, and he has greater than improved his defensive talents in camp. — Kennedi Landry

Braves: How a lot will Dansby’s protection be missed?
The Braves are going to miss Dansby Swanson, who simply led all MLB shortstops with 21 Outs Above Average final 12 months. How a lot he’s missed is determined by how efficient Orlando Arcia is whereas serving because the staff’s beginning shortstop. Braden Shewmake is the membership’s greatest defensive choice, however he wants extra offensive improvement. The Braves have a proficient pitching employees, whose worth shall be enormously influenced by the effectivity generated by the shortstops. Shewmake might make an affect very similar to Michael Harris II did when he rose from Double-A to turn into Atlanta’s beginning heart fielder close to the tip of May final 12 months. — Mark Bowman

Marlins: How will the protection fare?
In order to bolster the lineup, Miami would possibly’ve sacrificed protection. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is taking part in heart discipline for the primary time and Jean Segura is transferring over to 3rd base — a place the place he has restricted expertise. Luis Arraez cut up time at first, second, third and designated hitter in 2022 with Minnesota, however he’s Miami’s second baseman. If Spring Training was any indication, there shall be rising pains. The membership did not have a lot time collectively, with Segura and Arraez on the World Baseball Classic. Miami depends on its pitching, so having gamers out of place might have an effect. — Christina De Nicola

Mets: How will the staff substitute Edwin Díaz?
Last 12 months, Díaz proved to be the very best nearer in baseball. And whereas changing a one-inning reliever might not be probably the most tough problem on the diamond, Díaz was a lot greater than a typical nearer. Losing him for the season to a torn patellar tendon in his knee was a major blow.

For now, the Mets determine to combine high-leverage relievers David Robertson, Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley within the ninth. Longer-term, they may turn into lively within the commerce market if closing video games turns into an issue. This was a notable energy final season for the Mets, who will do what it takes to make sure Díaz’s absence gained’t crush their World Series aspirations. — Anthony DiComo

Nationals: Sean Doolittle
Doolittle is rehabbing from present process an inside brace process to alleviate a left UCL damage final season. The 36-year-old opted for that over Tommy John surgical procedure for a shorter restoration time. Doolittle, who signed a Minor League deal, has been slowed in his return and won’t be prepared for Opening Day. If wholesome, he can add a coveted veteran arm to the Nationals bullpen. But he should cross a number of milestones in his restoration earlier than being cleared to take action. — Jessica Camerato

Phillies: Replacing Rhys Hoskins’ firepower
Rhys Hoskins suffered a season-ending ACL damage final week. It is a crushing blow. Is first baseman/designated hitter Darick Hall prepared for his shot? He batted .250 with 9 residence runs, 16 RBIs, an .804 OPS and 121 OPS+ in 142 plate appearances final season, primarily serving because the staff’s DH whereas Harper recovered from a damaged left thumb. But the Phillies protected Hall, limiting him to solely 12 plate appearances towards lefties. Hall might want to do extra for longer with Hoskins gone. The good news is Hall labored exhausting this offseason to slim his strike zone and hit left-handers higher. The outcomes this spring have been encouraging. — Todd Zolecki

Brewers: Which model of Christian Yelich will they get?
Yelich was priceless final season as a leadoff man who made issues occur on the basepaths. The Brewers would a lot desire he return to run-production, even when it’s unfair to anticipate Yelich to copy his all-world performances in 2018 and ‘19. He spoke at length in mid-March about shouldering heavy expectations, and if he succeeds, it would be a huge boost to the Brewers’ offense, one thing of an unknown itself, in comparison with the strong beginning pitching. — Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: How a lot does 41-year-old Adam Wainwright have left within the tank?
Wainwright, who will miss “several weeks” due to a groin pressure, in accordance with supervisor Oliver Marmol, was embarrassed and motivated by not pitching within the playoffs final fall. Candidly, he mentioned he didn’t should pitch within the playoffs after going 2-4 (and two no-decisions) with a 6.69 ERA over his closing eight begins of 2022. Now, the prideful Wainwright hopes to finish his profession with a flourish — a lot the way in which legendary slugger Albert Pujols did final season with a feel-good flurry of 24 residence runs. But how efficient can Wainwright – who has already endured a spherical of again spasms and the groin pressure — be with fastball and cutter velocities which have been largely within the excessive 80s and low 90s in Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic? Said Marmol boldly: “I wouldn’t bet against Waino.” — John Denton

Cubs: Which model of Cody Bellinger will the Cubs get this 12 months?
The Cubs made a calculated gamble after they jumped on the likelihood to signal Bellinger, who was non-tendered by the Dodgers over the winter. The heart fielder burst onto the scene throughout 2017-19, posting a .928 OPS and choosing up a Rookie of the Year trophy, Gold Glove Award and an MVP plaque alongside the way in which.

Over the final three seasons, Bellinger has hit .203 with a .648 OPS whereas battling via quite a lot of damage setbacks. If the middle fielder can preserve a clear invoice of well being and return to some stage of his early-career type, that may be a serious win for the Cubs. — Jordan Bastian

Pirates: Will the Pirates commerce Bryan Reynolds?
Days previous to the Winter Meetings, the news surfaced that Bryan Reynolds had requested a commerce from the Pirates. Due to the timing of the request, there was a widespread perception that the Pirates would money of their chips and commerce Reynolds. At the start of Spring Training, the All-Star outfielder mentioned the request stemmed from a distinction of opinion relating to his worth, however famous that he was nonetheless open to signing a long-term extension. Reynolds mentioned on Friday that if he and the Pirates had been going to conform to an extension, he would need it to be accomplished earlier than the season begins. The Pirates, after all, don’t have to commerce Reynolds as he’s underneath staff management for the subsequent three years, however given how issues have unfolded, this saga will probably finish in an extension or commerce. The query is which one. — Justice delos Santos

Reds: Will Joey Votto be totally again and contributing?
Coming off the worst offensive season of his profession and an August surgical procedure that repaired a torn rotator cuff and biceps in his left shoulder, the 39-year-old Votto is getting into the ultimate season of a 10-year, $225 million contract. Camp began with the primary baseman on a modified routine earlier than he began taking part in video games within the second half of Spring Training. Votto, who has been with the Reds since debuting in 2007, batted .205 with a .689 OPS with 11 residence runs and 41 RBIs in 91 video games — all profession lows — in ’22. Although Votto will begin the season on the IL, the membership’s hope is that he can bounce again to be the identical hitter who slugged 36 homers with 99 RBIs in 2021. — Mark Sheldon

D-Backs: Will the bullpen be higher?
It’s no secret that the bullpen has been a sore spot for the D-backs for the final couple of years, and its enchancment was the No. 1 precedence within the offseason. Rather than herald massive names or an skilled nearer like they tried final 12 months with Mark Melancon and Ian Kennedy, the D-backs introduced in various intriguing arms together with Miguel Castro and Scott McGough, each of whom seem poised to pitch in high-leverage conditions, in addition to veteran lefty Andrew Chafin. Holdover Kevin Ginkel has appeared good this spring, so there are a number of choices for supervisor Torey Lovullo to make use of late in video games. How it’s going to all come collectively stays to be seen. — Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: Can the lineup nonetheless be elite?
Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith give the Dodgers a potent trio atop the lineup. It’s in all probability secure to imagine Max Muncy can have a greater season than he did in 2022. Outside of that, nonetheless, the Dodgers’ lineup has some query marks heading into the season. J.D. Martinez hasn’t impressed in camp, although the Dodgers have mentioned he’s often a sluggish starter. Miguel Vargas might want to show he belongs. Chris Taylor is placing out at an alarming clip this spring, which follows a troublesome ‘22 season. And there’s Miguel Rojas, who hasn’t had numerous success on the plate over his profession and shall be tasked with the on a regular basis shortstop position. In order for the Dodgers to be an elite lineup once more, they’ll want one or two of these gamers to have massive seasons on the plate. — Juan Toribio

Giants: What can the Giants anticipate out of their catchers?
Joey Bart has but to place all of it collectively on the massive league stage and should present he can put the ball in play extra constantly to entrench himself as San Francisco’s beginning catcher. Veteran Roberto Pérez will probably function Bart’s backup, however there are questions on his sturdiness after he appeared in solely 65 video games over the past two seasons on account of accidents. The Giants are additionally anticipated to hold Rule 5 Draft decide Blake Sabol, who stays a piece in progress behind the plate and figures to see most of his preliminary taking part in time within the outfield following the accidents to Mitch Haniger and Austin Slater. — Maria Guardado

Padres: Fernando Tatis Jr.
Is it honest to name Tatis an “unknown?” We know exactly what he is able to. When he is on the sphere, Tatis is among the many small handful of baseball’s bona fide superstars. But it is honest to ask what, precisely, the Padres will get from Tatis in 2023. On April 20, when he’s slated to return from his PED suspension, Tatis will play his first sport for the membership in 565 days. In the interim, he has garnered all method of undesirable headlines. Tatis has additionally undergone a trio of surgical procedures — two on his left wrist and one on his left shoulder. There’s no telling how his physique will maintain up, although he’s shaken off some rust this spring and appears snug on the plate. — AJ Cassavell

Rockies: Can third baseman Elehuris Montero carry his Spring Training strategy to the common season?
Montero, a part of the Nolan Arenado commerce with the Cardinals, hit for energy his complete time within the Rockies’ system. Called up for the primary time final 12 months, pitchers took benefit of his eagerness by getting him to chase breaking balls and by benefiting from some timing inefficiencies. As Spring Training progressed, Montero made main strides in controlling the strike zone. Can he translate that strategy to the common season to turn into a pressure offensively, all whereas making progress defensively? — Thomas Harding