Almost daily update on arms across the league, focused on recovery and performance in return from injury.

• River Ryan – RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
  Ryan logged a clean, scoreless inning on February 25, touching 98 mph with his fastball while striking out one and issuing one walk in his Spring Training debut. For a pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery after missing all of 2025, the early velocity is the headline, signaling that his arm strength has returned quickly and convincingly. He also flashed a low‑90s slider, an encouraging sign that his secondary weapons are progressing alongside the fastball. The command is understandably still settling in, but this outing reopens the conversation about Ryan’s long‑term starter upside. The Dodgers are expected to manage his workload carefully, likely building innings in the minors before considering a mid‑season MLB role in 2026, potentially as a swingman or bullpen option initially.
• Gerrit Cole – RHP, New York Yankees
  Cole reached 97 mph during a live batting practice session on February 27, an eye‑opening checkpoint given how early he is in his return timeline. The velocity reportedly surprised even Cole himself, a good problem to have when working back from Tommy John surgery. While this wasn’t a game setting and secondary pitch data remains to be monitored, the fastball reading alone is a strong indicator that his recovery is tracking ahead of schedule. There is no role ambiguity here—once cleared, Cole resumes his place at the top of the Yankees’ rotation. Expect a cautious early ramp-up, but the organization is clearly aiming for him to be a foundational starter for most of the 2026 season.
• Shane McClanahan – LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
  McClanahan faced live hitters in late February, marking a meaningful step forward in a long return process that has included Tommy John surgery and subsequent triceps nerve surgery. While no velocity or results were publicly detailed, simply getting back into competitive environments represents progress for a pitcher whose peak featured elite swing‑and‑miss ability. The focus moving forward will be on how quickly his fastball velocity and overall command rebound, particularly given his reliance on overpowering hitters during his 2023 breakout. Tampa Bay is expected to proceed cautiously, and workload limitations are likely in 2026, with projections hovering around a moderated innings total. Even so, if the stuff returns anywhere close to form, McClanahan still carries impact potential in the Rays’ rotation.
• Cam Schlittler – RHP, New York Yankees
  Schlittler faced hitters for the first time in weeks on February 25, throwing 25 pitches during a practice session and coming out of it without issue. That alone is the key takeaway as he continues to work back from the lat issue that disrupted his 2025 season. While no velocity or command data was available from the session, successfully clearing this hurdle keeps him on track for Opening Day, per Aaron Boone. With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón both expected to miss time early, Schlittler’s health carries real importance for rotation depth. The Yankees are expected to manage his workload carefully, likely capping him around 70 pitches early and potentially using piggyback or shortened starts as he ramps up.
• Cade Cavalli – RHP, Washington Nationals
  Cavalli made his Spring Training debut on February 25, marking his first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery. While no public metrics were reported from the outing, simply returning to a game setting represents meaningful progress in his recovery. Cavalli remains one of Washington’s most important pitching prospects, and the organization has little incentive to rush him. Expect a conservative approach in 2026, with a gradual build-up, close workload monitoring, and the likelihood of innings limits as he works back toward a regular rotation role.
• Tyler Glasnow – RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
  Glasnow looked sharp in his first Spring Training start on February 26, retiring the first six hitters he faced and striking out four across two-plus efficient innings. He needed just 28 pitches, sat at 97 mph with the fastball, and showed no rust working through his full pitch mix. Given his injury history—including shoulder inflammation that delayed his 2025 season—efficiency and velocity this early are especially encouraging. Glasnow is firmly locked into the Dodgers’ rotation, though workload management will remain part of the plan. If health cooperates, he’s positioned for a substantial role throughout 2026.
• Jared Jones – RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
  Jones has yet to appear in Spring Training games as he continues rehabbing from internal brace surgery, and his absence on February 25–26 keeps his early-season outlook uncertain. The Pirates are expected to proceed cautiously, with a strong chance he opens the year on the injured list—potentially the 60‑day IL—depending on how his rehab progresses. When healthy, Jones profiles as a meaningful rotation piece, but his 2026 impact is likely to come later in the season once he’s fully built back up.
• Ricky Tiedemann – LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
  Tiedemann has not yet returned to game action as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, keeping his Spring Training timeline focused squarely on recovery rather than results. As one of the Blue Jays’ most highly regarded pitching prospects, his return will be handled deliberately. Expect a rehab assignment to open the year, followed by strict innings management once he’s cleared for competitive action. The upside remains substantial, but Toronto’s priority will be long-term health over early-season innings.