MLB Spring Training 2025: Full Schedule, Key Dates, and Highlights
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MLB spring training 2025 |
As winter fades and spring approaches, Major League Baseball (MLB) Spring Training 2025 emerges as the gateway to a new season. This annual tradition signals the return of baseball and provides teams with a crucial period for final roster adjustments, talent evaluations, and game preparations.
Spring Training consists of two leagues: the Grapefruit League in Florida and the Cactus League in Arizona, featuring all 30 MLB teams in a month-long series of exhibition games. Fans get the opportunity to see their favorite players return to action while top prospects and non-roster invitees battle for a place on the Opening Day roster.
This year, Spring Training 2025 promises to be particularly exciting, with the Spring Breakout series, international matchups, and the much-anticipated return of injured stars adding extra intrigue to the preseason.
Full Schedule and Key Dates
Spring Training Start Date
Spring Training officially kicks off on Thursday, February 20, 2025, with an exciting matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs in Glendale, Arizona, marking the start of the Cactus League season. The following day, Friday, February 21, the New York Yankees will host the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa, Florida, to launch the Grapefruit League.
First Full Weekend of Games
By Saturday, February 22, all 30 teams will have taken the field, with a packed weekend schedule offering fans non-stop baseball action across Arizona and Florida.
Spring Breakout Series (March 13-16, 2025)
A new and highly anticipated event in Spring Training, the Spring Breakout Series, is scheduled from March 13 to March 16. This event will highlight the top prospects in MLB, giving them a chance to showcase their skills in exhibition games.
Notable Matchups in Spring Breakout:
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March 13: Tampa Bay Rays' top prospects vs. Boston Red Sox's top prospects in Port Charlotte, Florida.
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March 13: Chicago Cubs' top prospects vs. Los Angeles Dodgers' top prospects in Glendale, Arizona.
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March 16: New York Yankees' top prospects vs. Toronto Blue Jays' top prospects in Tampa, Florida.
Chicago Cubs’ Japan Trip (March 13 & 15, 2025)
A major highlight of Spring Training 2025 is the Chicago Cubs’ trip to Japan, where they will play two exhibition games against Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) teams on March 13 and March 15 before facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo for MLB's official Opening Series on March 18-19.
Final Week and Last Tune-ups
The final stretch of Spring Training will be vital for teams fine-tuning their rosters. The last official Spring Training games will be played on Sunday, March 23, as teams finalize their Opening Day rosters ahead of the regular season.
Key Highlights and Storylines
1. Battle for Roster Spots
Spring Training serves as a proving ground for top prospects and non-roster invitees (NRIs) looking to earn a place on an MLB roster. Some of the biggest competitions include:
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The New York Yankees' catching competition, featuring Rafael Flores and Austin Wells.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers' battle for a starting rotation spot between Gavin Stone and Emmet Sheehan.
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The Chicago Cubs' outfield competition with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brennen Davis fighting for a starting role.
2. Return of Injured Stars
Several big names who missed parts of the 2024 season due to injury are set to make their comeback during Spring Training:
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Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Recovering from elbow surgery and expected to return as a hitter in 2025.
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Jacob deGrom (Texas Rangers) – Making his comeback after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
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Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) – Returning after a knee injury cut his 2024 season short.
3. New Faces in New Places
The offseason saw several blockbuster trades and free-agent signings, and Spring Training will be the first opportunity to see these stars with their new teams:
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Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
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Blake Snell (San Francisco Giants)
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Corbin Burnes (Baltimore Orioles)
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Matt Chapman (Los Angeles Dodgers)
4. International Flair and Global Growth
With the Chicago Cubs playing in Japan, MLB continues its push toward global expansion. The games in Tokyo will be a historic moment, and the league is expected to host more international events in the near future.
5. Fan Experience and Exclusive Events
Spring Training is also a fantastic opportunity for fans to interact with players, attend autograph sessions, and watch open practices. Teams like the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals have announced special fan events at their facilities, making it a memorable experience for attendees.
Broadcast
Fans can watch Spring Training games through various platforms, with many games being televised on:
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MLB Network
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ESPN
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Regional sports networks
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MLB.TV (for out-of-market games)
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Marquee Sports Network (Chicago Cubs), which will broadcast 17 Cubs spring games, including the Japan series.
For full broadcasting details, check MLB.com or your favorite team's official website.
In Conclusion
MLB Spring Training 2025 is set to be an electrifying preseason with international games, top prospects in action, the return of injured stars, and fierce position battles. Whether you are attending games in Arizona, Florida, or Japan, or watching from home, Spring Training offers a thrilling prelude to what promises to be an exciting MLB season.
As teams gear up for the regular season, fans can enjoy the journey of players fighting for their spot on the Opening Day roster, making every Spring Training game a must-watch event. Stay tuned for live updates, highlights, and analysis as MLB Spring Training 2025 unfolds!
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