MLB Spring Training Schedule and 60-Day Injured List Changes

As Major League Baseball (MLB) teams gear up for the 2025 season, the league has made adjustments to roster rules and will soon see the return of the 60-day injured list. Understanding these changes and the schedules for spring training can help fans navigate the coming months of transactions and player movements.

Spring Training Dates and Timeline

Most MLB teams are set to report to spring training between February 12th and 13th. The Cubs and Dodgers, however, have earlier start dates of February 9th and 11th, respectively, due to their participation in exhibition games in Tokyo. All other clubs are scheduled to have their Opening Day on March 27th.

The Return of the 60-Day Injured List

_Post-World Series_, the 60-day injured list will be inactive for five days. It will reappear when pitchers and catchers report to spring training. This change modifies the roster flexibility during the transition between the end of the postseason and the beginning of spring training.

60-Day Injured List Guidelines

The 60-day IL will count from Opening Day, not from the initial transfer. Teams must maintain a full 40-man roster to transfer a player to this list, typically delaying transfers until the player will be unavailable for end-of-May or later. This policy ensures that contending teams can retain flexibility for transactions throughout the regular season.

Key Free Agents in the Market

The free agent market is still robust, with several high-profile players available, including Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, Nick Pivetta, Andrew Heaney, David Robertson, Randal Grichuk, Kenley Jansen, Harrison Bader, Lance Lynn, Jose Quintana, and many others. The additional roster flexibility may drive more deals in the coming week as teams navigate their roster requirements.

Players Expected on the 60-Day Injured List

Here are some key players anticipated to go on the 60-day IL due to injuries:

Angels

Robert Stephenson: Suffered a hybrid Tommy John surgery in April, likely missing the early part of the 2025 season.

Astros

Cristian Javier: Had Tommy John surgery in June, targeting a return in the second half of 2025.

J.P. France: Recovering from shoulder surgery, aiming to return in July.

Bennett Sousa: Underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in April, with an unclear timeline.

Athletics

Luis Medina: Underwent Tommy John surgery in August, possibly missing the entire season.

Ken Waldichuk: Had surgery in May, expected to miss several months.

Blue Jays

Angel Bastardo: Acquired via Rule 5 draft after Tommy John surgery in June.

Alek Manoah: Underwent Tommy John surgery and aims to return by August.

Braves

Joe Jiménez: Had knee surgery in November, with a recovery timeline of eight to twelve months.

Spencer Strider: Underwent internal brace surgery in April, potentially returning in May.

Ronald Acuña Jr.: Recovering from a torn ACL, might miss the first month or so.

Brewers

Robert Gasser: Underwent Tommy John surgery in June, likely returning late in 2025.

Diamondbacks

Kyle Nelson: Had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in May, missed the remainder of the 2024 season.

Dodgers

Gavin Stone: Misses the entire year due to shoulder surgery post-season.

Brusdar Graterol: Recovering from shoulder surgery, not expected until second half of 2025.

River Ryan, Kyle Hurt, Emmet Sheehan: Each required Tommy John surgery in 2024.

Guardians

Sam Hentges: Shoulder surgery in September, expected recovery: 12 to 14 months.

David Fry: UCL surgery in November, cleared for DH by six to eight months.

Shane Bieber: Important player, underwent Tommy John surgery in April.

Trevor Stephan: Tommy John surgery in March, potential early return based on progression.

Mariners

Matthew Brash: Tommy John surgery in May, aiming for a midsummer return; optimistic timeline of end-April.

Jackson Kowar: Underwent Tommy John in March, potential early return.

Marlins

Braxton Garrett: Underwent UCL surgery recently, missing the entire 2025 season.

Eury Pérez: Tommy John surgery in April 2024, aiming to return by mid-season.

Mets

Christian Scott: Back from Tommy John and internal brace hybrid procedure; could miss the entire 2025 season.

Nationals

Josiah Gray: Had Tommy John and internal brace hybrid procedure in July, will miss most/all of the 2025 season.

Mason Thompson: Underwent Tommy John surgery in March, has a chance for an early return based on recovery.

Orioles

Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells: UCL surgery in June, both expected to miss first half of the season.

Padres

Joe Musgrove: Back from Tommy John surgery in October, missing entire 2025 season; needs to fill 40-man roster positions first.

Pirates

Dauri Moreta: Underwent UCL surgery in March, possible early-season return or placement on 60-day IL based on progress.

Rangers

Josh Sborz: Shoulder surgery in November, expected to miss first two to three months.

Rays

Nate Lavender: Acquired via Rule 5 draft with Tommy John surgery in May, will miss the start of the season.

Ha-Seong Kim: Shoulder surgery in October, return timeline uncertain from April to July.

Red Sox

Patrick Sandoval: Internal brace surgery in June, expected to miss first half.

Garrett Whitlock: Same surgery in May, potential earlier return than Sandoval.

Chris Murphy: Fully Tommy John surgery in April, missed start of the season.

Lucas Giolito: Internal brace surgery in March, intending to return by Opening Day.

Reds

Julian Aguiar, Brandon Williamson: Both underwent Tommy John surgery recently, expected to miss entire 2025 season.

Tigers

Sawyer Gipson-Long: Internal brace surgery in April, left hip labral repair surgery in July, expected to miss some of early 2025.

White Sox

Jesse Scholtens: Tommy John surgery in early March, transfer to 60-day IL pending progress and expected return timeline.

Yankees

Jonathan Loáisiga: Internal brace surgery in April, expected to return in late April or early May; may go on 60-day IL if setback occurs.

Conclusion

As spring training approaches, MLB teams will be navigating a complex roster landscape influenced by new rules and the ongoing rehabilitation of key players. The 60-day injured list and the returning free agents will play significant roles in shaping the rosters and strategies for the 2025 season.

Stay tuned for further updates as the 2025 MLB season draws closer, and don’t miss critical moves and developments.

Share your thoughts on how these changes will affect your favorite teams in the comments below! Like and subscribe to Archynetys for more insider insights into baseball and other sports.