Elephant Rumblings: Pitchers & Catchers report tomorrow

MLB news roundup

Good morning A’s fans! Happy Tuesday to each and every one of you.

Football is finally over and that means it is officially baseball season. The team’s pitchers and catchers report tomorrow morning so this is the final day of no A’s-related baseball news. The first few days of the pitchers and catchers aren’t the most exciting as the pitchers slowly build up in preparation for the coming season, but we’ll be hearing from the coaches and their initial thoughts on the staff. They’ll be getting their first up close look at the newest arms in Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs, both of whom are expected to lead a staff that has potential. They should be familiar with fellow addition Jose Leclerc after he spent his entire career with the division-rival Rangers.

While the pitchers and catchers will report on Wednesday the position players get a few extra days left before their own reporting date. They’ll be getting into camp five days later, gathering on Monday for the first time this year. They’ll all be together for pretty much everyday for the next 7+ months. Again, not a lot of news but we should be getting the usual “best shape of my life” quotes from players. Hey, it’s better than the alternative.

The date everyone should circle on their calendar is next Saturday the 22nd. That’s when games start, finally ending our desire for fresh baseball to latch on to. It’ll be against the San Diego Padres and it’s scheduled to be a split-squad game, meaning two games in one day. The club has a lot of split-squad games on the early portion of the spring schedule, playing 15 straight games like that before finally doing a full-squad contest on March 10th. As far as this fan is concerned more baseball is better baseball.

Final day of the winter everyone. Baseball is ready to start. Go A’s!

A’s Coverage:

• Blogfather’s Annual Baseless Predictions: Pleasant Surprises & Unpleasant Disappointments
• A’s Opening Day roster coming into focus
• The Athletics’ Rotation Options
• Here’s what to know for A’s Spring Training
• A’s Come Up Short on Las Vegas Stadium Parking Spaces

MLB News & Interest:

• Shohei throws off mound for Dodgers with 2-way return in sight
• Tanner Scott to open season as Dodgers’ primary closer
• Cubs to start Imanaga during season-opening series against Dodgers
• Ex-Giants GM Farhan Zaidi to join Dodgers front office
• Reds to wear #14 patch on sleeve to honor Pete Rose
• Cubs eyeing Justin Turner if Bregman signs elsewhere
• Yankees sign Tyler Matzek to minor league deal
• CC to have Yankees’ logo on Hall of Fame plaque; Astros for Wagner
• Padres sign veteran outfielder Connor Joe to minor league pact
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

That’s turned into a horrible contract down south…

Late addition to the club:

Rooker has spoken:

At least one person is excited for Sacramento:

Count in Jose for FanFest: