With all of that being said, the claim that Schwellenbach is on track to become MLB's next star pitcher is a reasonable one. Health will be of the utmost importance of course, but that is true for any pitcher.

Free agent right-hander Merrill Kelly, after being dealt by the Diamondbacks to the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline last season, is returning to Arizona on a two-year, $40 million deal, sources confirmed to ESPN amid multiple media reports.

From an MLB Opening Day doubleheader on March 26 to the Wild Card round of the playoffs, NBC Sports’ 2026 schedule delivers wall-to-wall coverage.

Major League Baseball returns to NBC this spring, featuring several former Arkansas Travelers, including Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, as the Seattle Mariners take on the Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres,

Major League Baseball's return to NBC this season will feature a pair of marquee Opening Day matchups, Wild Card Series postseason games, a special "Star-Spangled Sunday" slate on July 5 and the return of Sunday Night Baseball and MLB Sunday Leadoff.

Stay up to date with the MLB free agent market this offseason, including player signings, contract details, and team fits as the 2025-26 Hot Stove heats up.

Meanwhile, the top four players on Kiley McDaniel's ranking of the top 50 free agents remain unsigned: Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez, Cody Bellinger and Alex Bregman. Bo Bichette, the No. 7 player on the list, is also still on the market, along with three other players in the top 20 -- Ranger Suarez, Zac Gallen and Eugenio Suarez.

Commissioner Rob Manfred floated the idea of an in-season tournament similar to the NBA Cup. It offers possibilities, and brings challenges.

Throughout 2025, Southwest Airlines announced a number of new partnerships, ranging from foreign airlines to American coffee companies. Now, early in 2026, the Dallas-based budget airline has revealed an agreement with the Chicago Cubs.