Slugger Joc Pederson had hoped to return to the Diamondbacks after his strong 2024 season, but the Diamondbacks couldn’t make it happen.

At this stage in his career, teams bring in Pederson for two things: to crush righties, and to make their clubhouse a better place.

It was a backfield game against his own teammates on the first day of the second week of March, sure, but Kumar Rocker’s unofficial third start of spring training could only be classified as progress.

With Opening Day getting closer, the Texas Rangers are in the process of figuring out who will make up the roster that they hope will lead them back to the playoffs.

The Texas Rangers disappointed in their quest to repeat as World Series in 2024, but one MLB expert says they are a legitimate contender to win it again in 2025.

The duo charted similarly bumpy roads from the ultimate highs of collegiate stardom at Vanderbilt to early struggles in pro ball. Both could factor in heavily to Texas' starting rotation this season.

DeGrom returned from his second Tommy John surgery to make three starts at the close of last season and came into this Rangers camp considered a fully healthy pitcher.

The Arizona Diamondbacks' roster moves and franchise-record payroll reflect their commitment to 2025, when they expect to extend their recent string of success.