MLB Baseball 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 10:30 PM ET
MLB Pitching Updates & Injury News
The American League East saw front-office movement as relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle finalized a deal with the Boston Red Sox on a minor league agreement, seeking a return to form. Meanwhile, the injury cycle continues in the AL Central, where the Chicago White Sox confirmed that right-hander Mike Vasil requires Tommy John surgery after experiencing elbow soreness during a recent spring start, effectively ending his season before it began. This setback for Vasil contrasts sharply with the highly anticipated returns in the National League, where pitching comebacks are nearing fruition Cole set for 1st spring outing.
The focus shifts westward as Shohei Ohtani prepares for debut on Wednesday, scheduled to take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a spring training matchup against the San Francisco Giants, marking his first competitive pitching action since his offseason contract signing. That same high-stakes return narrative applies to Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who is slated for his initial spring training appearance following his own elbow procedure, as both stars progress toward full recovery ahead of Opening Day rosters being finalized.