MLB Baseball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 11:30 PM ET
MLB Pitching Recovery & Roster Moves
The American League saw contrasting news regarding high-profile pitchers as Yankees ace Gerrit Cole prepares for his spring training comeback, scheduled for his first on-mound action since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery, representing a major step in his recovery timeline for the defending AL East champions. Conversely, the White Sox confirmed season-ending surgery for right-hander Mike Vasil, who experienced immediate elbow soreness during a recent spring start, mandating the young pitcher undergo the same procedure Cole recently completed. Meanwhile, the Red Sox secured relief depth by agreeing to a minor league contract with veteran Tommy Kahnle, adding an experienced arm to their camp competition as they look to bolster their bullpen ahead of Opening Day.
World Baseball Classic & International Competition
International baseball action concluded with Venezuela advancing to their first-ever WBC final after rallying past Italy in the quarterfinals, setting up a championship showdown against the United States. This victory immediately preceded the news that Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata would resign following the team's 8-5 quarterfinal elimination by Venezuela in Miami, concluding his tenure after the loss. The dramatic late-game exchange during that Venezuelan victory saw Suarez answer Harper’s clutch home run to secure the decisive lead for his nation in the high-stakes elimination contest.
Dodgers Star Debut & Fantasy Projections
Focus shifts back to Major League Baseball as Shohei Ohtani is slated for his first pitching start this Wednesday, taking the mound for the Dodgers in a spring training matchup against the San Francisco Giants, which will be closely monitored as the two-way superstar integrates back into his throwing regimen. Separately, fantasy baseball analysts are finalizing their outlooks, with ESPN’s final points-league mock draft providing a detailed snapshot of projected 2026 rosters and round-by-round selections across the ten participating teams.