#spring-training

#spring-training

It's probably a good thing I'll be traveling tomorrow and may not have time for a Rundown, because the news cycle lately has been nothing but minor league deals. We're still going to talk about some of them, mainly because we'd have so little to discuss otherwise, but I don't think skipping a day will leave anyone with a news void that won't be easily filled. For the Cubs in particular, it feels like we've reached the point of coasting into camp.

Corner outfielder/designated hitter Nelson Velázquez is among the group, indicating they've signed him to a minor league contract. Velázquez, 27, is looking to get back to the majors for the first time in two seasons. He bounced around last year after being outrighted off the Royals' 40-man roster during Spring Training. Kansas City released him in May after he hit .202 across his first 33 Triple-A contests.

Gott's contract included an invitation to Spring Training. If he does make the team, this could be good for the Nationals, maybe not in terms of preventing runs, but in terms of having a veteran presence in the clubhouse. The Nationals are an extremely young team. They have great young talent, but an experienced veteran, who has bounced between the big leagues and minors his whole career, and in between teams too, will help with mental approaches to the game.

The Toronto Blue Jays are putting in the work this offseason to get ready for the new campaign, starting with the signing of Dylan Cease to the largest free agent deal in franchise history. The addition of Cease helps fill a hole that was left in the rotation following the departures of Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer, and brings some strikeout power to a rotation that is arguably one of the top in the American League.

Giants infielder Casey Schmitt underwent surgery on his left wrist Tuesday, but he's expected to be recovered, or very close, when spring training opens in February. Doctors removed Schmitt's carpal boss the bony lump on the back of the wrist near the base of the middle or index finger the team announced Tuesday morning. The team said the procedure typically takes 8-10 weeks of recovery.

Masataka Yoshida, despite a productive two-year stint, faced uncertainty in Spring Training due to a crowded outfield and recovery from shoulder surgery, leading to limited playing opportunities.

You can look up my numbers in spring training,' Fernando Cruz said with a laugh before the Yankees played the Royals in The Bronx on Tuesday. 'They were ridiculous.'