Diamondbacks News
(MLB.com) What to know as D-backs gear up for Cactus League play
Look for young arms early
The names of the starting pitchers for the first three games of Cactus League play will likely not be familiar except to the diehard fans. Right-hander Tom Hatch will start the opener and there won’t be a veteran going until Michael Soroka following the weekend slate.
“We’re just going to slow play some things,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “Everybody is going to be ready and built up to six innings and 85 pitches by the time they take their last spring start.”
(12News) Arizona Diamondbacks to play starters in first Cactus League game
With a dozen D-Backs players set to represent their countries in the 2026 World Baseball Classic at the beginning of March, Lovullo is making sure those players get the game reps they need to prepare.
“Normally they wouldn’t be, but I’m trying to fast forward this as much as possible because the entire infield is going to play in the WBC, so I want to get them on the field,” Lovullo said Thursday. “I wouldn’t be playing [Alek Thomas] in the outfield tomorrow, but I’m going to, so he can get ready for Team Mexico.”
(SI.com) Diamondbacks Reveal 8 Free Spring Training Broadcasts
On Thursday, the Arizona Diamondbacks revealed their 2026 spring training broadcast schedule for their upcoming Cactus League games.
Eight games will be broadcast free of charge to fans, and will be accessible on D-backs.TV and local TV providers. Fans will not have to pay for a D-backs.TV or MLB.TV subscription in order to view these eight games. All that will be required is a free account, set up with an email address.
“Right now, it really is clear that we have a group of teams at the bottom and we have some teams at the top,” Kendrick said. “We are in neither of those groups, to be fair. A model that would allow those extremes to not be what they are, I think would be good for the fans, and honestly, I think it would be good for the players.”
Congrats to all of us on making it through another long, dreary winter! Baseball is finally upon us once more, hope springs eternal, and already the hot dogs, cracker jax, and beer is calling my name. Here’s to another season, and maybe, just maybe this team can surprise us again.