Big League Digest
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Spring Training
Daily Edition
March 3, 2026
Issue 003 • Spring Training Edition
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Opening Day
Countdown
22 Days
March 25, 2026
Regular Season Opens
Breaking
⚠ League Suspension
Jurickson Profar Is Looking at 162 Games. That's an Entire Season.
Sources confirmed Tuesday morning that Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension — the mandatory penalty under the Joint Drug Agreement for a second positive PED test. The Braves outfielder, coming off a breakout 2024 campaign that earned him a lucrative contract, would miss the entire 2026 regular season if the ban is upheld.
This isn't just a roster problem for Atlanta — it's a credibility problem. Profar's 2024 numbers were extraordinary for a player in his 30s, and anyone who watched him suddenly transform into one of the game's most disciplined hitters had questions. Those questions just got a lot louder. The appeal process is pending, but the 162-game number is not a typo.
For the Braves: they were already navigating an Acuña injury situation. Now their outfield depth takes a serious hit before a single meaningful pitch has been thrown. Atlanta's front office has work to do.
Spring Training Results
Yesterday's Games • March 2
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Trending Up / Trending Down
▲ Trending Up
🟢
Shohei Ohtani, pitching. Dodgers' camp reports confirm Ohtani is on track to be a two-way force in 2026 — ESPN reports he is "on a mission" for the Cy Young. If his velocity is where scouts say it is, the NL West conversation starts and ends with LA.
🟢
Wyatt Langford, TEX. The Rangers outfielder hit a HR with 2 RBI against Cleveland in spring play. After a quiet first big league season, Langford is the name Texas needs to pop in 2026 — early signs are encouraging.
🟢
Logan Webb, USA WBC rotation. Mark DeRosa named Webb to start Game 1 for Team USA. That's a sign of respect — Webb is a staff ace and one of the game's most underrated starters.
▼ Trending Down
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Jurickson Profar. The 162-game suspension report is devastating. What looked like a career resurgence now comes with an asterisk the size of Truist Park. His appeal process is the only lifeline.
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Atlanta Braves' outfield depth. Already navigating the Acuña situation, the Braves now potentially lose Profar for the season. Their outfield picture is murky heading into March.
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Chicago Cubs' pitching, Grapefruit League. Giving up 17 runs to the Reds is a story you can spin as "it's spring" — until it isn't. The Cubs rotation has legitimate questions this year and Monday didn't quiet them.
Around the League
WBC
USA sets WBC rotation — Logan Webb gets the ball in Game 1. Manager Mark DeRosa announced the pitching plan Tuesday, with Giants ace Logan Webb drawing the start in the tournament opener. The USA roster is loaded, and DeRosa going with a ground-ball specialist over the more high-profile names is a smart, unflashy choice. Expect this squad to be dangerous.
SIGNING
Royals add Starling Marte on a 1-year, $1M deal. Kansas City is bringing in the veteran outfielder on a low-risk, high-upside late add. Marte, when healthy, is still a capable defender with instincts that translate regardless of age. At $1M, this is a depth move that could quietly turn into something if the youth around him takes longer to develop.
WATCH
Ohtani's pitching development is the most important story in baseball this spring. ESPN's report Tuesday painted a picture of a focused, locked-in Ohtani who views the Cy Young as an achievable target. His 2024 elbow recovery was closely monitored — if the velo and slider are back at full power, the NL does not have an answer for the Dodgers.
HEALTH
Nolan McLean's WBC arrival delayed by vertigo-like symptoms. The Athletics prospect was expected to join Team USA's camp but has been delayed due to inner-ear issues. Not a serious long-term concern at this stage, but worth monitoring as tournament play approaches.
Today's Slate • March 3
TB
@
MIN
1:05 PM EST
Hammond Stadium · Fort Myers
PHI
@
TB
1:05 PM EST
Charlotte Sports Park · Port Charlotte
SD
@
CHW
3:05 PM EST
Camelback Ranch · Glendale
LAD
@
CLE
3:05 PM EST
Goodyear Ballpark · Goodyear
LAA
@
SEA
3:10 PM EST
Peoria Sports Complex · Peoria
Quick Hits
●Tyler Soderstrom, ATH: Went 2-for-4 with a HR, double, and 2 RBI in Oakland's 7-2 win over San Diego. Soderstrom has legitimate power potential and the A's need him to be the real thing.
●Addison Barger, TOR: Hit a HR with 4 RBI for Toronto in a 7-6 spring loss to Boston. Barger is competing for a starting role and making the case loudly.
●Luisangel Acuña, CHW: Went 2-for-3 with a HR and 2 RBI for Chicago — yes, Ronald's brother, and yes, the last name is still producing. Chicago White Sox fans need things to be excited about. This might be one of them.
●Opening Day is 22 days away. March 25. The season starts before most of March is over. Time moves fast.
●Angel Martinez, CLE: Went 3-for-3 with a HR and double against Texas. The Guardians infielder is pushing for a starting spot and put together a clean line Monday.
Hot Take
Big League Digest
The Profar suspension doesn't just hurt the Braves. It taints a 2024 MVP race that still has questions attached to it.
Jurickson Profar was one of the best stories in baseball in 2024. A player who looked finished, suddenly performing like an All-Star at 31 with dramatically improved plate discipline and exit velocity numbers. Everyone wanted to believe it was a legitimate renaissance. A second PED positive doesn't prove 2024 was dirty — but it does mean those questions will never fully go away. The award voters, the record books, the highlight reels — they all get an asterisk now whether people want to put one there or not. That's the real cost of this suspension, beyond the 162 games.
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