The first full day of MLB spring training is in the books, and there are already some interesting storylines developing. Let’s take a look at some of them today in our MLB news roundup, including a Minnesota Twins pitcher making his return to the mound, a Detroit Tigers prospect making an impact in his debut, and Bobby Dalbec making a statement for the Boston Red Sox.
Minnesota Twins news: Kenta Maeda returns to the mound
After missing the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, the 34-year-old Maeda returned to the mound for the Twins on Saturday, starting the spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays and throwing one scoreless inning. After allowing a leadoff double to Josh Lowe, Maeda rebounded to get two groundouts and a strikeout to end the threat.
Maeda’s velocity looked good as well, a positive sign for his comeback and the Twins.
Returning from Tommy John elbow surgery for his first MLB game action in 18 months, Kenta Maeda threw a scoreless inning with one strikeout.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) February 25, 2023
Maeda averaged 90.3 mph with his fastball, not far off from his 91.6 mph average in 2020, when he finished runner-up for the AL Cy Young.
Detroit Tigers news: Mason Englert has solid debut
In his first-ever spring training action, the 23-year-old right-hander impressed, striking out four in two innings of hitless, scoreless relief.
Englert, who reached Double-A last season in the Texas Rangers organization before being selected by the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft this offseason, struck out the side in the fifth, needing just 10 pitches to do it. He finished the day by throwing 34 pitches, with 22 going for strikes.
Boston Red Sox news: Bobby Dalbec crushes in first two spring at-bats
The 27-year-old Dalbec, who has had Red Sox fans salivating about his potential for years, was impressive in his first two at-bats of the season in Boston’s spring opener against the Atlanta Braves.
Dalbec led off the second with a double off Atlanta starter Kolby Allard, then followed that with a two-run homer off Braves reliever Jesse Chavez in the third. He finished the day 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI and runs scored out of the five hole, something that Red Sox fans would love to see on a consistent basis in 2023.
Of course, that wasn’t the most talked about news from the game that ended in a 6-6 tie. Let the pitch clock debate begin.
Bottom of the ninth. Tie game. Bases loaded. Full count. The dream scenario. And ... Cal Conley didn't get set in the batter's box with 8 seconds left on the pitch clock.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 25, 2023
Umpire calls an automatic strike. At-bat over. Inning over. This is the new reality. https://t.co/Bv5k2xJ06j