By Lily Magurno | February 24, 2025
Photo Credits: Pexels
Baseball is officially back. With spring training starting on Thursday, Feb. 20, fans can look forward to the start of the 2025 season.
Some big moves were made throughout this off-season. Outfielder Juan Soto, who spent the 2024 season with the New York Yankees, signed with the New York Mets on a 15-year, $765 million contract. The Mets also re-signed first baseman Pete Alonso on a 2-year, $45 million contract and acquired pitcher Clay Holmes from the Yankees. The two New York teams play one game against each other during spring training and will meet again at Yankee Stadium in May for a three-game Subway Series.
Recovering from their loss in the World Series, the Yankees looked to rebuild. They acquired pitcher Max Fried from the Atlanta Braves on an 8-year $218 million contract. They also traded pitcher Cody Poteet to the Chicago Cubs for $5 million for outfielder and first baseman Cody Bellinger. Yankees manager Aaron Boone also agreed to a two-year contract extension on Feb. 20. They started their spring training on Friday, Feb. 21, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Fresh off of their World Series win, the Los Angeles Dodgers will start the official MLB season in Tokyo, Japan against the Chicago Cubs on March 18. The Dodgers’ first baseman Freddie Freeman came out of the 2024 season on a high note with a stellar performance in the World Series, but underwent ankle surgery during the off-season. According to Freeman, he is “perfectly on track” for Tokyo. The Cubs and Dodgers played the MLB’s first spring training game on Feb. 20, with the Cubs dominating over the Dodgers 12-4.
The Cubs and Dodgers aren’t the only ones starting their season far from their home fields. The Athletics have officially dropped the city of Oakland from their team title after planning to relocate to Las Vegas. The A’s will play the 2025 season in a temporary stadium in Sacramento, California, while their Las Vegas stadium, which will be located on the Vegas Strip, finishes construction. The Rays will also be relocated to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida due to hurricane damage by Hurricane Milton back in November in their home field, Tropicana Field.
As the clock ticks closer to opening day, injuries to starting players are beginning to cause concern. Pitchers such as Frankie Montas and Drew Smith from the Mets are out on lat muscle and elbow injuries, with Montas out until at least May and Smith not seeing the mound until September. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoa is on the injury list for an elbow injury, but has reported to be making good progress and getting closer to pitching off the mound.
As for hitters, Giancarlo Stanton from the Yankees was recently placed on the injury list for possible injuries in both elbows, and Twins “super prospect” Emmanuel Rodriguez is currently on the injury list again with an ankle injury after his 2024 season ended with a torn meniscus. While optimistic about the Tokyo series, Freddie Freeman’s ankle surgery still lists him as questionable to start for the series.
Injuries aren’t the only setback going into the 2025 season. Teams who struggled in the 2024 season are looking to replenish their reputations. The Chicago White Sox finished the 2024 season with only 41 wins out of 162 games, breaking the record for most games lost since 1901. Looking back on their tough season, outfielder Andrew Benintendi wants to move forward.
“Yeah, it’s difficult, but it’s baseball and you turn the page,” Benintendi said.
Opening Day for the MLB is on Thursday, March 27, which is the earliest opening day in MLB history. 28 of the 30 major league teams will play, with the Colorado Rockies and the Rays starting on March 28.