Here are three things to keep an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:
1. 2026 Spring Breakout:
This year’s Spring Breakout got underway last night, with a slate of six games between clubs showcasing some of their top prospects. Among the prospects to impress most yesterday were Reds right-hander Chase Petty, who struck out six over four scoreless innings, and Nationals infield prospect Gavin Fien, who went 3-for-4 with a walk and two doubles at the plate. Spring Breakout games will continue today and throughout the weekend, with the Brewers’ top-ranked farm system in baseball set to face off against the Mariners’ farm at 2:10pm local time in Arizona. Top shortstop prospect Jesús Made will be joined by Jett Williams, Cooper Pratt, and others on a stacked Brewers prospect roster, while the Mariners will showcase top prospects Colt Emerson and Kade Anderson, among others.
2. Alvarez exits with minor injury:
Mets fans were given a scare yesterday when catcher Francisco Alvarez departed the game due to back tightness. Fortunately, Will Sammon of The Athletic was among those to relay assurances from manager Carlos Mendoza that Alvarez’s removal was precautionary and that he would have been able to continue playing had it been a regular season game. Alvarez’s status will be worth keeping an eye on for fans in Queens given that the club would likely need to turn to Luis Torrens and Ben Rortvedt as its tandem behind the plate if he required a trip to the injured list, but for now the level of concern seems fairly. The 24-year-old Alvarez, already heading into his fifth season, will be looking to build on a big second half last year where he slashed .276/.360/.561 across 41 games.
3. Rose calling it a career:
In other Mets news, longtime Mets broadcaster Howie Rose announced that 2026 will be his final year in the booth ahead of his retirement. Rose has done radio play-by-play for the Mets for more than 30 years, and noted in his retirement announcement that he’s been involved in Mets broadcasting since 1987. The beloved broadcaster told fans he hopes to be involved with the Mets in the future in some capacity, but for this year they can count on him being in the booth of the team’s home games, Subway Series games at Yankee Stadium, and any of the team’s postseason games. We at MLB Trade Rumors would like to congratulate Rose on a fine career and wish him all the best headed into his final season in the booth and his well-earned retirement.
