NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA and its players’ union met again Wednesday, hours after a marathon negotiating session over a new collective bargaining agreement.
The two sides ended a 12-hour negotiation at 5 a.m. EDT without reaching a deal. They started talking again Wednesday afternoon and discussions were ongoing at sundown.
Union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson said Wednesday morning that there were “a lot of conversations going in the right direction.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert came out of the hotel where negotiations took place to talk to reporters briefly.
“It’s complex, but we’re working towards a win-win deal like we’ve been saying, transformational deal for these players. That balances all the things we’ve been trying to balance with continued investment by our owners,” she said. “So, we’re working hard towards that and still have work to do.”
Executive committee members Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark and Brianna Turner once again were at the hotel with Jackson and the union staff. The league was represented by Engelbert, head of league operations Bethany Donaphin and New York Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai. Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti joined the negotiating team on Wednesday.
Neither side left the hotel during the marathon bargaining session. A day later, both sides were outside during breaks enjoying an unseasonably warm mid-March day in Manhattan.
The sides have been exchanging proposals during the bargaining sessions over the last two days, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.
Revenue sharing and housing are key sticking points between the sides, as well as assigning a franchise tag to a player and benefits for retired players.
The league had said that at least a handshake agreement on a labor deal would need to be done by Tuesday to start the season as scheduled.
“We’ve got to get this deal done. We’ve got to get it done soon,” said Engelbert, who didn’t take questions from reporters.
When a deal is reached in principle, the league has said it would need a few weeks to finish off the CBA. After that work is done, the expansion draft for new franchises in Portland and Toronto would be held sometime between April 1-6, according to a timetable obtained by the AP.
Free agent qualifying offers, including franchise player tags, would be sent out April 7-8. Teams would then have three days to negotiate with the more than 80% of players who are free agents. The signing period would take place from April 12-18.
Training camps would open the next day and the season would be able to start on May 8.
But for any of that to happen, the two sides have to figure out a revenue sharing model. The union’s proposal from a week ago had asked for an average of 26% of the gross revenue — revenue before expenses — over the course of the CBA. That would include only 25% in the first year. The league has said that number was unrealistic.
The WNBA’s last few proposals have offered more than 70% of net revenue, with that number going up as the league continues to grow.
NORTH PORT, FL – MARCH 09: Atlanta Braves pitcher Hayden Harris (79) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins on March 9, 2026, at CoolToday Park at North Port, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Earlier this afternoon, the Atlanta Braves optioned reliever Hayden Harris to Triple-A and reassigned starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco and relievers Elieser Hernández and James Karinchak to their minor league camp.
Harris is a mild surprise given his stand-out performance this Spring, having struck out 12 batters in five innings. His ability to be optioned – combined with Atlanta starting the season with 13 consecutive games – made his fit on the Opening Day roster a tight one barring a roster move with other relievers. Much like his 2025 minor league performance, he put himself in the position to make the team, soomething that could still happen with two weeks left until the start of the regular season.
Karinchak, the former Cleveland reliever, has also pitched well in camp as he tries to return to the big leagues for the first time since 2023 due to injuries. He has struck out nine across four innings pitched.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com believes that Karinchak will likely be with Atlanta by early April, citing the schedule as a factor in why the Braves would opt for a multi-inning reliever during the season’s first few weeks.
Here’s some clarity to yesterday’s Karinchak vs. Suarez debate. Playing 13 straight days to open the season creates reason to carry a long relief option, especially if you want to give your top starters an extra day of rest those first two weeks. Karinchak will be up soon enough.… https://t.co/dBgY81deys
Carrasco, who made his MLB debut back in 2009, made three starts with Atlanta last year and returned on a minor league deal despite his struggles in 2025. Hernandez is another veteran pitcher, who has 99 games of big league experience, but didn’t pitch in the majors last season.
The moves bring the current camp roster to 50 players.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 26: Matt Chapman #26 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with Willy Adames #2 after hitting a home run during the first inning of the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, we’re a month into Spring Training, and just two weeks away from Opening Day. So it seemed like a good time to dive into one of my overly verbose spring traditions: contextualized stats.
One of the hard things about judging spring results — for individuals or for teams — is that the competition varies. In one at-bat you might be facing off against a Cy Young winner, and, later in the game, you might be battling someone who got drafted in the ninth round last summer and may never make it out of A-Ball. To help you parse through that, I’ve taken a look at every single at-bat that the San Francisco Giants have had so far this spring, and broken them into four categories: at-bats against MLB regulars, at-bats against non-regulars who are on the 40-man roster, at-bats against non-roster invitees, and at-bats against players on loan from Minor League camp. For context, examples of Giants players who fit those categories would be, in order: Robbie Ray, Carson Whisenhunt, Will Bednar, and Nick Zwack.
Of course, one of the other things that makes it hard to judge Spring Training results is that the samples are so small, so me making it even more granular by cutting it into quarters may not be helping things. But it’s interesting!
In addition to tallying those totals, this year I’m adding exit velocities, since all Cactus League ballparks are equipped with Statcast data this year. That data isn’t perfect … there are a few at-bats where the exit velocities were not available. But for the most part, I’ve calculated all the EVs for all the players, so you can see how hard they’re hitting the ball — I’m including average exit velocity (the average of every batted ball); EV50 (the average of the hardest-hit 50% of the balls), and maximum EV. To help you contextualize that data, each number is accompanied by a parenthetical of where it would rank among the 389 MLB hitters who had at least 100 plate appearances last season.
These articles are best fit for off-days, but sadly/happily the Giants don’t have many of those. So apologies to all who played well in Wednesday’s 5-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, but their stats are not included.
Now let the nerding commence!
Willy Adames
vs. regulars: 2-14, 1 home run, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 0-4, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 0-6, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 1-2, 1 strikeout
Also: 1 stolen base, 1 error, 1-for-1 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities (18 balls in play) Average EV: 89.5(185th) EV50: 97.7(331st) Max EV: 106.7 (371st)
Adames’ second spring with the Giants has not gone well, save for one glorious moment: a home run off of World Series hero Yoshinobu Yamamoto to lead off San Francisco’s win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. If it makes you feel better, he had a red-hot spring last year, and then was ice cold to start the season. Let’s hope the opposite is being set up here.
Exit velocities (10 balls in play) Average EV: 85.8(363rd) EV50: 95.4(381st) Max EV: 100.7 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
Giants fans haven’t gotten much of a look at Arráez in the black and orange, as he quickly departed to join Venezuela in the WBC. But his spring has been exactly what you expect of him: pesky at-bats, soft contact, and lots of hits. Things look much rosier if you look at his WBC data, which included a dynamic two home run game. There’s optimism in those at-bats that his downward trajectory on offense could be reversed this year.
Harrison Bader
vs. regulars: 1-4, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 1-3 vs. NRIs: 1-3 vs. MiLBs: 2-2, 1 home run, 1 double
Exit velocities (11 balls in play) Average EV: 84.9 (376th) EV50: 98.9 (276th) Max EV: 113.6 (81st)
Like Arráez, we haven’t seen much of Bader either, due to the WBC. And while the bulk of his damage has come against lower-level pitching, his 113.6-mph hit — the viral home run that damaged a food truck beyond the left field grass — lends us lots of optimism. It matched his career high, and was more than a full MPH harder than any ball he’s hit in a Major League game since 2018.
Patrick Bailey
vs. regulars: 4-11, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 sac fly vs. 40-mans: 1-2 vs. NRIs: 1-4, 1 double vs. MiLBs: 0-1, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 91.9 (39th) EV50: 101.6 (110th) Max EV: 109.7 (266th)
The most notable part of Bailey’s spring has been that he has been an absolute superstar at challenging pitches. He not only is great at framing baseballs, but he has an exceptional awareness of the strike zone as well. But there’s also been a lot of optimism around his bat. He’s had some very loud contact, and in 20 plate appearances has only struck out once.
Osleivis Basabe
vs. regulars: 0-4, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 2-3, 1 double, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 3-5, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 3-6, 1 triple, 2 doubles, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(13 balls in play) Average EV: 92.0 (37th) EV50: 100.2 (193rd) Max EV: 107.9 (345th)
Basabe has really impressed this spring as a non-roster invitee. He has primarily come off the bench, and all of his damage has come against non-regulars. But he’s hitting the ball hard, to go along with his strong defense (don’t let the errors fool you) across the infield.
Exit velocities(22 balls in play) Average EV: 97.8 (above the highest figure of 95.8) EV50: 104.3 (15th) Max EV: 111.9 (139th)
It’s here where I need to remind you of the limitations of small samples for batted ball data. No one is suggesting that Bericoto would have the best average exit velocity in the Majors if he spend the year with San Francisco. But my goodness has he impressed by hitting the ball hard, and hitting it often. 18 of his 22 batted balls have been at least 90 mph, while a whopping nine of them have reached triple figures. It’s been an eye-opening performance that surely has him on the radar of the coaching staff and the front office. It’s the type of showing that could factor into the team’s decision-making this summer if they’re considering calling him up for a debut.
Will Brennan
vs. regulars: 2-7, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 6-10, 3 doubles, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 0-2, 1 walk vs. MiLBs: 0-2
Exit velocities(18 balls in play) Average EV: 86.0 (359th) EV50: 96.4 (365th) Max EV: 106.0 (379th)
I always enjoy overanalyzing this data. Brennan has been utterly dynamic against players on the 40-man roster who aren’t regulars, and awful against everyone else, above and below that. Obviously it means nothing, but it’s funny! Brennan has been just what the Giants expected when they signed him right as camp was starting: he’s played solid defense all across the outfield, and reliably put the ball in play with soft contact. With Drew Gilbert’s ailment delaying his reps in camp, Brennan could have a shot at making the Opening Day roster if the Giants care about handedness for their fourth outfielder.
Exit velocities(2 balls in play) Average EV: 93.8 (9th) EV50: n/a Max EV: 97.3 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
It’s been pretty clear that Cartaya is in camp as a non-roster invitee primarily because the Giants — like all teams — need people who can catch, be it for bullpens, sim games, or late in Cactus League games. He hasn’t gotten any real playing time, as the focus on him will come during the Minor League season when he’s in AAA. He was never in play to earn a role early in the season.
Matt Chapman
vs. regulars: 4-12, 1 home run, 2 doubles, 3 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-5 vs. NRIs: 2-3, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 0-1
Exit velocities(17 balls in play) Average EV: 94.3 (7th) EV50: 105.6 (6th) Max EV: 115.2 (35th)
Chapman has been absolutely smoking the baseball all spring. Six of his 17 balls in play have been at least 105 mph, and he’s also shown off by catching a few blistering balls on defense, as well. Opening Day can’t come soon enough for Chapman. Nothing but green flags over here.
Exit velocities(9 balls in play) Average EV: 94.6 (5th) EV50: 104.4 (14th) Max EV: 110.0 (193rd)
Davidson, one of the organization’s top prospects, is not in camp as an NRI to earn a spot on the team. He’s only barely gotten his feet wet in AA, where he’s likely to begin the 2026 season. But he’s here to hopefully make an impression, and get comfortable with a team that he could end up being a big part of as early as this summer. And make an impression he has. While his overall numbers haven’t been good, his at-bats have been poised, and the contact he’s made has been phenomenal. The spring has done nothing to quell his rapidly rising prospect status.
Rafael Devers
vs. regulars: 0-7, 4 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 0-3, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 0-1, 1 walk vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(5 balls in play) Average EV: 88.5 (246th) EV50: 102.1 (86th) Max EV: 105.2 (383rd)
You don’t want anyone to struggle at Spring Training, but if someone has to, Devers is probably the best man for the job. He’s probably the only hitter on the team that we should have zero worries, doubts, or questions about. He’s still looking for his first hit — but has been slowed by a long absence due to a minor hamstring injury. No concerns here: just saving his hits for the season.
Bryce Eldridge
vs. regulars: 4-14, 1 triple, 2 doubles, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-6, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 4 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 2-7, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 1 walk
Totals:7-27, 1 home run, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 6 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 11 strikeouts, .967 OPS, 146 wRC+
Also:2-for-3 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 92.7 (23rd) EV50: 104.4 (14th) Max EV: 113.0 (97th)
The biggest question when Spring Training began was this: will Bryce Eldridge be on the Opening Day roster? A month later, the biggest question is this: will Bryce Eldridge be on the Opening Day roster? He hasn’t completely forced the issue: his strikeout rate of 32.4% leaves a bit to be desired. But my goodness has he looked impressive. The quality of the at-bats has been exceptional, and the loudness of his contact has been … well … loud. He’s even looked quite good at first base. The question of his Opening Day status still needs to be answered, but the question of how dynamic his bat can be sure does not.
Exit velocities(23 balls in play) Average EV: 97.0 (above the highest figure of 95.8) EV50: 106.6 (4th) Max EV: 115.6 (28th)
Encarnación’s spring has been a microcosm of his time with the Giants: absurdly hard contact that hasn’t really resulted in much. When you look at the batted ball data, you can see why the Giants remain enamored with him: four of his 23 balls in play have been 110+ mph, nine have been in triple figures, and 18 have been at least 90 mph. But with those hard-hit balls not translating in much damage, and with the players around him performing well, his path to the Opening Day roster is slipping. That said, he’s been coming alive in recent games, and is the player who is most negatively impacted by me publishing this article today, as he hit a home run in the team’s Wednesday game.
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 84.3 (387th) EV50: 93.0 (below the lowest figure of 93.6) Max EV: 103.1 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
There’s really no sugarcoating it: Fitzgerald has had an absolutely miserable spring. He’s mostly looked helpless, with swings-and-misses galore, and when he does make contact it’s been woefully soft. In 26 plate appearances, he’s only hit the ball harder than 85 mph five times. Unfortunately, there aren’t any bright spots to find — he’s been awful against the regulars, but very poor against the NRIs as well. The Giants have played him a little bit in the outfield, so he’s at least staying ready as a utility player on defense, should he re-find his mid-2024 bat.
Nate Furman
vs. regulars: 1-3, 1 home run, 2 walks, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 0-5, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 1-8, 1 double, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 2-4
Totals:4-20, 1 home run, 1 double, 4 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 7 strikeouts, .760 OPS, 102 wRC+
Also:2 stolen bases
Exit velocities(13 balls in play) Average EV: 88.9 (220th) EV50: 96.2(366th) Max EV: 102.5(below the lowest figure of 104.2)
Furman was perhaps the most surprising inclusion in the list of non-roster invitees this spring, but it speaks to how high the Giants are on his contact-oriented bat. Unfortunately, the upper-level talent has highlighted his inexperience a little bit. Furman has only played 21 AA games, and so it seems fitting that he went 2-4 with no strikeouts against fellow Minor Leaguers, and 2-16 with seven strikeouts against more experienced pitchers. That’s a far cry from the .369 average and 11.7% strikeout rate he had in the Minors last year.
Drew Gilbert
vs. regulars: 0-1, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 1-1 vs. NRIs: 2-6, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 0-4, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(9 balls in play) Average EV: 74.3 (below the lowest figure of 83.9) EV50: 89.2 (below the lowest figure of 93.6) Max EV: 106.9 (369th)
Nothing has gone right for Gilbert this spring. He entered camp as the favorite to win the fourth outfield role, but suffered a shoulder impingement and had to miss a good chunk of time. He only just returned on Tuesday, but as a designated hitter, as he hasn’t yet been cleared to throw. When he has been on the field, he’s been unable to do damage, with very soft contact all around. He’ll play a big role on the Giants this year, but it’s looking unlikely that he’s standing on the chalk at Oracle Park on March 25.
Eric Haase
vs. regulars: 1-6, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-4, 1 home run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 0-3, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 3-9, 1 home run, 5 strikeouts
Also:5 stolen bases allowed, 2-for-4 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(11 balls in play) Average EV: 84.8 (378th) EV50: 99.1 (271st) Max EV: 105.3 (383rd)
Haase entered camp needing to make a strong case for himself if he wanted to win the backup catcher role. Unfortunately, he’s struggled to do that. While his OPS and wRC+ are fine thanks to his pair of home runs, it’s been a tough go of it for him this spring. He’s just 2-13 against non-Minor Leaguers, and is sporting a strikeout rate that is dangerously close to 50%. Despite the tie for the team lead in home runs, his batted ball data has been fairly grim. It certainly looks like he’ll be the third catcher, starting the year in AAA.
vs. regulars: 2-9, 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 2-8, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 1-3, 1 home run, 1 walk vs. MiLBs: 1-2, 1 walk, 1 sac fly
Totals:6-22, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 1 sac fly, 5 strikeouts, .801 OPS, 102 wRC+
Also:1 stolen base, 1 error, 1-for-2 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(17 balls in play) Average EV: 94.6 (5th) EV50: 103.6 (31st) Max EV: 111.8 (143rd)
Like Davidson, Harber came to camp hoping to impress his future coaches and teammates, and get comfortable at the level for the future. The rising star prospect has yet to experience life in AA, so an Opening Day spot was never up for grabs. But he has absolutely impressed. While big league regulars and 40-man pitchers have mostly gotten the better of him, his exit velocities have been as impressive as his reputation said they would be. A very successful first camp.
vs. regulars: 4-8, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 0-4 vs. NRIs: 2-9, 1 hit by pitch, 1 sac fly, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 1-4, 1 strikeout
Totals:7-25, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 1 sac fly, 4 strikeouts, .736 OPS, 81 wRC+
Exit velocities(22 balls in play) Average EV: 84.0 (388th) EV50: 95.6 (380th) Max EV: 108.7 (311th)
Holton came to the Giants with hopes of seeing a higher level of baseball. He was promoted to the Detroit Tigers AA affiliate late in the 2022 season … and never made it past that level, spending three consecutive full seasons at the level. He’s shown some things in camp with the Giants, including nice numbers against MLB regulars. But on the whole, he hasn’t made too much of an impression. The batted ball data has been quite poor … in 31 plate appearances, he has just three triple-digits balls in play. Not quite what you hope for out of a first baseman, but Holton has shown some strong contact skills, and should make good depth in AAA.
Buddy Kennedy
vs. regulars: 0-4, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 0-3, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 5-11, 2 home runs, 1 triple, 1 sac fly, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 1-2
Exit velocities(17 balls in play) Average EV: 86.6 (343rd) EV50: 95.2 (383rd) Max EV: 103.0 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
After many thousands of words, we finally get to a player who highlights why I track this data. Kennedy is having an awesome spring, as an OPS that doesn’t start with a decimal point suggests. But he’s done that damaage exclusively against pitchers who aren’t on Major League rosters: he’s 6-13 with three extra-base hits and just one strikeout against such pitchers, while hitting just 0-7 with three strikeouts against rostered arms. And that’s one of the reasons why he’ll be in AAA when the season begins.
vs. regulars: 1-6, 2 walks, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 1-3, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 2-4, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch vs. MiLBs: 2-4
Totals:6-17, 5 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts, .875 OPS, 154 wRC+
Also:1 caught stealing
Exit velocities(15 balls in play) Average EV: 87.1 (327th) EV50: 99.6 (232nd) Max EV: 104.4 (387th)
Koss also has performed much worse against the rostered pitchers, but it’s notable that he’s had a good chunk of playing time against them. It certainly seems that the current coaching staff values him as much as the previous one did, and that the front office still loves him. The numbers aren’t exciting, but he’s done nothing to suggest he’s lost his spot on the active roster. He’s missed a little time, but thankfully not due to injury: instead, due to his wife giving birth! Congratulations to the whole family.
Jung Hoo Lee
vs. regulars: 1-3 vs. 40-mans: 1-5 vs. NRIs: 1-1 vs. MiLBs: 2-3, 1 triple
Totals:5-12, 1 triple, 1.000 OPS, 157 wRC+
Also:2 outfield assists
Exit velocities (11 balls in play) Average EV: 91.6 (50th) EV50: 99.6 (232nd) Max EV: 105.8 (380th)
We didn’t get to see much of Lee before he departed for the WBC, but what we did see was right on brand: he came to the plate 11 times, and 11 times he put the ball in play. Most noteworthy for Lee this spring is that he looked comfortable in right field, and that the Giants still used him as a backup in center field.
Luis Matos
vs. regulars: 3-9, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 hit by pitches, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 1-6, 1 home run, 1 hit by pitch vs. NRIs: 3-8, 1 home run vs. MiLBs: 1-5, 1 double
Totals:9-28, 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 3 hit by pitches, 1 strikeout, 1.013 OPS, 159 wRC+
Also:1 stolen base
Exit velocities(27 balls in play) Average EV: 91.1 (76th) EV50: 101.5 (114th) Max EV: 110.0 (247th)
Matos entered camp needing a lot to go his way to break camp with the team. So far a lot has gone his way. Gilbert has been mediocre and injured, while Encarnación has not played up to his potential. And most importantly, Matos has played wonderfully, with an average in the 300s, an on-base percentage in the 400s, and a slugging percentage in the 600s. He’s done it against all levels of talent, and certainly is making a strong case that the Giants should keep him on the Opening Day roster, rather than losing him on waivers.
vs. regulars: 2-6, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 0-3, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 2-8, 1 home run, 3 walks, 1 sac fly, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 1-5, 1 walk
Totals:5-22, 1 home run, 6 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 1 sac fly, 4 strikeouts, .764 OPS, 108 wRC+
Exit velocities(19 balls in play) Average EV: 87.1 (327th) EV50: 103.5 (32nd) Max EV: 108.5 (320th)
It’s been something of a funny spring for McCray, who has been making his mark by drawing free passes, which is not his usual way of doing business (in his Major League career he has a sky-high 42.9% strikeout rate, and just a 5.1% walk rate). He’s looked comfortable against all levels of pitchers, and has shown some pop: six of his 19 balls in play have been hit at at least 105 mph. He’s certainly in play for an Opening Day spot, though not the favorite.
vs. regulars: 4-11, 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-4, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 3-8, 1 double, 3 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 1-1
Totals:9-24, 2 doubles, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 7 strikeouts, .903 OPS, 143 wRC+
Also:7 stolen bases, 1 caught stealing, 0-for-1 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 86.1 (356th) EV50: 97.8 (324th) Max EV: 109.4 (282nd)
Oliva has certainly impressed this spring, and it’s notable that he’s done well against MLB regulars. But as a 30-year old non-roster invitee, it seems that he is destined to begin the year in AAA. But he’s opened eyes — seven stolen bases! — and I fully expect to see him on the roster at some point this year.
Logan Porter
vs. regulars: n/a vs. 40-mans: n/a vs. NRIs: 0-3, 1 hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 0-1
Totals:0-4, 1 hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts, .200 OPS, -25 wRC+
Also:2 runners thrown out, 1 stolen base allowed, 0-for-1 on ABS challenges
Exit velocities(2 balls in play) Average EV: 77.1 (below the lowest figure of 83.1) EV50: n/a Max EV: 84.4 (below the lowest figure of 104.2)
Like Cartaya, Porter isn’t in camp with the opportunity to win a job. He’s there because they need lots of catchers, and so he can build rapport and familiarity with the pitchers for when he’s inevitably added to the roster sometime during the season when the team is dealing with injuries.
Heliot Ramos
vs. regulars: 3-5, 1 home run, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch vs. 40-mans: 2-4, 1 hit by pitch, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 2-2, 1 double vs. MiLBs: n/a
Totals:7-11, 1 home run, 3 doubles, 1 walk, 2 hit by pitches, 1 strikeout, 1.896 OPS, 371 wRC+
Exit velocities(10 balls in play) Average EV: 96.5 (above the highest mark of 95.8) EV50: 105.2(7th) Max EV: 107.7 (350th)
We only saw a brief bit of Ramos and his bleached hair before he headed off to help Puerto Rico in the WBC, but what we saw was electric. He had four extra-base hits in 14 plate appearances, with all four coming against right-handed pitchers, and three going to the opposite field. Half of the balls he put in play were hit at 102.6 mph or harder, and he made no foibles in the field or blunders on the bases. And he did all of that without facing any players on loan from Minor League camp.
Jesús Rodríguez
vs. regulars: 1-6, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 2-6, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 4-9, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 1-1
Exit velocities(18 balls in play) Average EV: 93.0 (19th) EV50: 101.0 (140th) Max EV: 105.7 (381st)
It speaks to Rodríguez’s consistency that his average EV is so high, when his EV50 is more middle of the pack, and his max EV is near the very bottom. He just reliably hits the ball with decent, but not overwhelming velocity. The young catcher — who has also played second base and left field this spring — has shown why the Giants are enamored with his contact skills, but has also displayed that he’s probably not quite ready for the Majors. It doesn’t really feel like he’s been given a shot to win a roster spot.
Exit velocities(24 balls in play) Average EV: 89.3 (196th) EV50: 100.0 (204th) Max EV: 109.3 (284th)
It’s been a mild-mannered spring for Schmitt, but it’s clear how the organization feels about him. His splits are less about how he’s performed, and more about how much he’s performed: 24 of his 31 plate appearances have come against rostered pitchers. The Giants, it seems, view Schmitt as a starter who has just been forced into a bench role by better options. And while the numbers haven’t been particularly good, they haven’t been concerning, either.
Daniel Susac
vs. regulars: 0-7, 4 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 1-1 vs. NRIs: 4-10, 1 double, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 2-4, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Average EV: 91.4 (55th) EV50: 104.6 (11th) Max EV: 108.8 (309th)
It’s been a spring of good and bad for Susac. On the one hand, his offensive numbers have been fairly pedestrian (though the would have been better had one of his doubles been correctly ruled a home run), and he’s been downright awful against rostered pitchers. On the other hand, he’s absolutely blistered the ball: seven of his 16 balls in play have exceeded 102 mph. He’s had baserunners take bags from him effectively, and been a bit of a mess with the challenge system, but he’s otherwise looked good defensively. Ultimately, Susac entered camp as the favorite to win the backup catcher job, and it sure looks like he’s going to do exactly that. That makes it a good spring for the Rule 5 pick.
Minor Leaguers
There’s no use doing full write-ups for the players on loan from Minor League camp, but here’s how they’ve done at the plate:
Maui Ahuna: 1-1, 1 double Rod Barajas Jr.: 0-1 Trevor Cohen:1 walk Jonah Cox: 0-2, 1 strikeout Josuar González: 1-3, 1 strikeout Dakota Jordan: 0-2, 1 strikeout Gavin Kilen:0-1, 1 walk Lorenzo Meola: 1 walk Jean Carlos Sio: 2-5, 1 home run, 1 strikeout
Teherán had helped Team Colombia secure a 3-1 victory over Team Panama in the WBC before announcing his retirement.
Teherán had a thirteen-year MLB career, during which he primarily played for the Atlanta Braves, but also played for the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets. He made his MLB debut with the Braves in 2011 at the age of 20 and spent his first nine seasons with the team, earning All-Star selections in 2014 and 2016.
Over his MLB career, Teherán compiled a 81-82 record, with a 3.85 ERA, 1.223 WHIP, and 1,260 strikeouts in 1,470.2 innings. He had spent the 2022 season playing in the Mexican Baseball League.
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Ana Beatriz Passos scored 12 points, Ana Pinheiro and Hope Hassmann each added 11, and top-seeded Idaho beat No. 2 seed Montana State 60-57 on Wednesday night to win the Big Sky Conference Tournament and clinch a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade
Idaho (29-5) won its first regular season conference title since 2019 and its first Big Sky Conference Tournament since 2016. Second-year coach Arthur Moreira — the first Brazilian head coach in Division I history — led the Vandals to a program record for single-season wins. Idaho won 28 games in the 1984-85 season.
Debora dos Santos grabbed 10 rebounds to go with nine points for the Vandals.
Taylee Chirrick made a layup, and Ella Johnson hit a 3-pointer — her only points of the game — to cut Montana State’s deficit to a point with 54 seconds left, but the Bobcats didn’t score again.
Hassmann made 2 of 6 from the free-throw line from there, and Lorena Barbosa blocked a potential tying 3-point shot by Johnson with about a second left.
Chirrick had 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting for the Bobcats (25-7), the 2025 Big Sky Conference Tournament champion.
The Bobcats scored seven of the first nine second-half points to tie it 38-all, but dos Santos responded with a layup before Kyra Gardner and Ella Uriarte made 3s as the Vandals led the rest of the way.
Montana State beat the Vandals 99-66 at home Jan. 10 and lost 73-70 at Idaho on Feb. 5.
Up next
Montana State: Hopes for a potential postseason invitation.
LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Javohn Garcia scored a career-high 31 points and made five 3-pointers, and No. 2 seed McNeese beat top-seeded Stephen F. Austin 76-59 on Wednesday to claim the Southland Tournament championship and a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
McNeese (28-5) became the first team in 10 years to reach and win three straight Southland Tournament title games since Stephen F. Austin did so from 2013–16.
Garcia finished 11 of 18 from the floor and grabbed five rebounds in 33 minutes — a day after playing 48 minutes in a triple-overtime win over UT Rio Grande Valley. Larry Johnson added 18 points and Tyshawn Archie had 17.
McNeese did not trail in the game, jumping out to a 29-20 lead behind five 3-pointers from Garcia. The Cowboys went into the break ahead 42-25.
Keon Thompson, the conference player of the year, led the Lumberjacks (28-5) with 18 points, while Kam Burton added 10. Stephen F. Austin shot 37% from the floor and 24% from behind the arc.
Up next
The Cowboys return to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in program history.
The Denver Nuggets host the Houston Rockets tonight as Western Conference powerhouses do battle for the fourth and final time this season.
Kevin Durant has been electric on the road this season, and my Rockets vs Nuggets predictions expect him to shine offensively.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this heavyweight bout on Wednesday, March 11.
Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, with the game airing on ESPN.
Rockets vs Nuggets prediction
Rockets vs Nuggets best bet: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points (-112)
Kevin Durant is scoring just 24.1 points per game at home, but he’s been excellent on the road, dropping 27.9 ppg outside of Houston. He’s been particularly effective across his last six road games, averaging 31.7 points and scoring 25+ five times.
Durant has scored at least 25 points in 21 of 31 road games, and he reached that mark in each of his two games at Ball Arena this season. In a matchup that should feature plenty of scoring, I expect KD to be effective on offense and keep his team competitive on the road.
Rockets vs Nuggets same-game parlay
The Denver Nuggets are just 4-6 ATS across their last 10 games overall. Denver is 14-16 ATS at home and 10-12 as the home favorite. The Houston Rockets have covered the spread in six of seven games as the road underdog. Houston is 1-2 straight up against Denver this season, but both losses were by 3 points.
The Nuggets have hit the Over more than any other team in the Association, doing so in 41 of 65 games. Denver is 16-14 to the over at home, and Houston is 18-16 to the Over on the road. Both teams are close to full strength, and offense won’t be in short supply.
Rockets vs Nuggets SGP
Durant Over 24.5 points
Rockets +6
Over 230.5
Our “from downtown” SGP: Jokic does it all
Nikola Jokic leads the Association with 24 triple-doubles in 49 games, reaching that statistical milestone in 13 of 23 matchups at home. He’s posted a triple-double in eight of his last 14 games, including two of his last three.
Rockets vs Nuggets SGP
Durant Over 24.5 points
Rockets +6
Over 231.5
Jokic triple-double
Rockets vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Rockets +6 | Nuggets -6
Moneyline: Rockets +195 | Nuggets -240
Over/Under: Over 231.5 | Under 231.5
Rockets vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Denver Nuggets have hit the Game Total Over in 33 of their last 50 games (+14.30 Units / 26% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Rockets vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Rockets vs Nuggets latest injuries
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 24: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Kia Center on January 24, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to break the Orlando Magic’s four-game winning streak.
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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 3: Sharife Cooper #13 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 3, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards take on an undermanned Orlando Magic team on Tuesday at Kia Center to close out the Florida leg of their four-game road trip.
Game info
When: Thursday, Mar. 12 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
Injuries: For the Wizards, Kyshawn George (elbow), Jamir Watkins (ankle), Anthony Davis (hand, groin), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), and D’Angelo Russell (not with team) are out.
For the Magic, Jase Richardson (back) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) are questionable, while Franz Wagner (ankle) and Anthony Black (abdominal) are out.
What to watch for
The Wizards will try their best to wash away the stench of the 83-point game they gave up to Bam Adebayo in their Tuesday tilt against the Miami Heat. The Magic will be without key pieces such as Franz Wagner and Anthony Black, but the Wiz may need to be wary of Wendell Carter Jr. going off for a career night.
Kidding aside, the Magic enter the contest on a four-game winning streak and desperately need a victory after getting passed by the Heat for the sixth seed in the East. After getting a rest day on Tuesday, Trae Young is expected to be back in action for his third game in a Wizards uniform.
For the tank watchers out there, the 16-48 Wizards made up some ground in the race to the bottom as both the Sacramento Kings (16-50) and Brooklyn Nets (17-48) picked up victories over the last couple of days. Only the Indiana Pacers currently have fewer wins than Washington.
Mar 10, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) and guard Reed Sheppard (15) celebrate after a play during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets
March 11, 2026
Location: Ball Arena – Denver, Colorado
TV: ESPN
Radio: KBME Sports Talk 790
Online: Rockets App, SCHN+
Time 9:00 CST
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
Nuggets: Jamal Murray (GTD), Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson (GTD), Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokić
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