The first day of 2026 Spring Training games is in the books, as the month-long march towards the regular season started on the 20th. It was a big day for some new faces in new places, as well as some prospects. Here are some highlights from the day of action.
Young guns flash in Sarasota
The Yankees started prospect Elmer Rodriguez on February 20. Rodriguez was acquired from the Red Sox two years ago for Carlos Narvaez and quickly vaulted up the organization. He threw two scoreless innings in his first start.
The Team Puerto Rico pitcher has a heavy sinker, one that induced a lot of groundballs in the Minors. Not to mention, Rodriguez also has a deep arsenal, which includes a curveball, slider, and cutter.
Trey Gibson, a non-roster invite, also pitched very well in his spring debut. Fastball up to 92 MPH, as he notched five whiffs on 18 swings. Gibson picked up the save for the Orioles.
White Sox beat up Cubs
Great day for the White Sox, as Chicago beat their cross-town rival by a score of 8-1. The game not only served as an intro for Munetaka Murakami, who went 2-4 and pounded a 108 MPH groundball single in the third inning, but also for Austin Hays and Sam Antonacci.
Hays went 1-3 with a home run, the first from the White Sox this spring. Hays will have to take on a heightened role in that lineup now that Luis Robert Jr. is gone, simply because the latter was an impact right-handed bat. Hays was sandwiched between lefties Kyle Teel and Murakami.
It doesn’t mean anything in the long term — but something to watch.
As for Antonacci, he hit his first home run of the spring, as well. Antonacci, a line-drive hitter with a keen eye at the plate, was one of the White Sox’s breakout hitters last year in the Minors. He likely won’t be with the team on Opening Day. However, he could be up at some point this season.
College teams get taste of pros
Before Northeastern takes on Minnesota this weekend — somewhat of a tradition, given that NU plays games in Florida during this time every year — the two schools took on the MLB teams from their respective hometowns: the Red Sox and Twins.
The Huskies lost 18-3 to the Red Sox. It was a seven-inning contest. Northeastern was able to get two runs off Tyler Uberstine, and standout outfielder Harrison Feinberg picked up a hit. However, it was all Red Sox in this one.
Kristian Campbell got the scoring started for the Red Sox. Catcher Ronald Rosario hit a home run. And Boston picked up 14 hits in the game.
As for the Golden Gophers, Minnesota lost 10-3 to the Twins. Zebby Matthews, someone to watch to make the Twins’ rotation in 2026, struck out three over two innings. Noah Cardenas and Ryan Kreidler had two hits. Cole Sands and Marco Raya threw scoreless innings.
Both were seven-inning contests.
Check out more of our MLB coverage.