Get ready for the return of baseball! While winter's icy grip still holds much of the country, the sport's spring awakening is just around the corner. Pitchers and catchers are set to report for spring training in early February, signaling the start of a new MLB season. It's a tradition as old as spring training itself, and it's a thrilling moment for fans eagerly awaiting the return of America's favorite pastime.
But here's where it gets intriguing: no one really knows why pitchers and catchers report first. Some speculate it's due to the unique training needs of pitchers, while others suggest it's simply a matter of logistics, given the large number of pitchers on each team. Regardless, it's an unofficial rite of spring, a sign that warmer days and baseball action are on the horizon.
Spring training is divided into two leagues: the Grapefruit League in Florida and the Cactus League in Arizona. The division is largely geographical, with teams east of the Mississippi in the Grapefruit League and those to the west in the Cactus League. However, it's not an exact science, and some teams' locations might surprise you.
Grapefruit League Teams and Report Dates:
- Atlanta Braves: Tue., Feb. 10
- Boston Red Sox: Tue., Feb. 10
- Baltimore Orioles: Wed., Feb. 11
- Detroit Tigers: Wed., Feb. 11
- Houston Astros: Wed., Feb. 11
- Miami Marlins: Wed., Feb. 11
- Minnesota Twins: Thu., Feb. 12
- New York Mets: Wed., Feb. 11
- New York Yankees: Thu., Feb. 12
- Philadelphia Phillies: Wed., Feb. 11
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Wed., Feb. 11
- St. Louis Cardinals: Thu., Feb. 12
- Tampa Bay Rays: Thu., Feb. 12
- Toronto Blue Jays: Wed., Feb. 11
- Washington Nationals: Wed., Feb. 11
The Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox will kick things off on Feb. 10, with the rest of the Grapefruit League following suit over the next few days. It's worth noting that many players already spend their offseasons near their spring training complexes, so the official report dates are more of a formality.
Cactus League Teams and Report Dates:
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Tue., Feb. 10
- Chicago White Sox: Tue., Feb. 10
- San Francisco Giants: Tue., Feb. 10
- Texas Rangers: Tue., Feb. 10
- Chicago Cubs: Wed., Feb. 11
- Cincinnati Reds: Wed., Feb. 11
- Kansas City Royals: Wed., Feb. 11
- Los Angeles Angels: Wed., Feb. 11
- San Diego Padres: Wed., Feb. 11
- Cleveland Guardians: Thu., Feb. 12
- Colorado Rockies: Thu., Feb. 12
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Fri., Feb. 13
- Milwaukee Brewers: Thu., Feb. 12
- Seattle Mariners: Thu., Feb. 12
The Cactus League also begins on Feb. 10, with four teams starting their spring training. The Los Angeles Dodgers, however, take an extra day, reporting on Feb. 13. Could this extra rest be the key to their recent World Series success?
Full-Squad Spring Training Workouts:
Not long after pitchers and catchers report, the full squad will begin their training. While it's not a true reunion, as many non-pitchers and non-catchers spend their winters at the training facilities, it's when the real work begins in earnest, preparing for the first game action later in February.
Grapefruit League Full-Squad Workouts:
- Atlanta Braves: Mon., Feb. 16
- Baltimore Orioles: Sun., Feb. 15
- Boston Red Sox: Mon., Feb. 16
- Detroit Tigers: Sun., Feb. 15
- Houston Astros: Sun., Feb. 15
- Miami Marlins: Mon., Feb. 16
- Minnesota Twins: Mon., Feb. 16
- New York Mets: Mon., Feb. 16
- New York Yankees: Mon., Feb. 16
- Philadelphia Phillies: Mon., Feb. 16
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Mon., Feb. 16
- St. Louis Cardinals: Mon., Feb. 16
- Tampa Bay Rays: Tue., Feb. 17
- Toronto Blue Jays: Mon., Feb. 16
- Washington Nationals: Mon., Feb. 16
The Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros will lead the way, starting their full workouts on Feb. 15. Most other teams will follow on Feb. 16, with the Tampa Bay Rays rounding out the group on Feb. 17.
Cactus League Full-Squad Workouts:
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Sun., Feb. 15
- Chicago White Sox: Sun., Feb. 15
- San Diego Padres: Sun., Feb. 15
- San Francisco Giants: Sun., Feb. 15
- Texas Rangers: Sun., Feb. 15
- Athletics: Mon., Feb. 16
- Chicago Cubs: Mon., Feb. 16
- Cincinnati Reds: Mon., Feb. 16
- Cleveland Guardians: Tue., Feb. 17
- Colorado Rockies: Mon., Feb. 16
- Kansas City Royals: Tue., Feb. 17
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Tue., Feb. 17
- Los Angeles Angels: Mon., Feb. 16
- Milwaukee Brewers: Tue., Feb. 17
- Seattle Mariners: Tue., Feb. 17
The Cactus League has a few teams starting on Feb. 15, with the majority joining in on Feb. 16 and Feb. 17.
The World Baseball Classic and Spring Training:
One notable exception to the spring training schedule involves players participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Due to the time commitment required for this international event, these players must report earlier than their teammates. Pitchers and catchers participating in the WBC must report by Feb. 11, while relevant position players must report by Feb. 12. This is mandated by the collective bargaining agreement, ensuring these players have adequate time to prepare for both events.
First Spring Training Games of 2026:
Spring training doesn't waste any time getting into the action. On Feb. 20, the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues will kick off their schedules with five games. The Yankees will face the Orioles at 1:05 p.m. ET, marking the beginning of the 2026 spring training season. However, don't expect to see many familiar faces just yet. The first games are often reserved for minor leaguers and depth players, while established starters ease into the season with a slower ramp-up.
Game Schedule for Feb. 20:
- Yankees at Orioles: 1:05 p.m. ET
- White Sox at Cubs: 3:05 p.m. ET
- Royals at Rangers: 3:05 p.m. ET
- Diamondbacks at Rockies: 3:10 p.m. ET
- Padres at Mariners: 3:10 p.m. ET
And there you have it! The 2026 MLB season is just around the corner, and spring training is the perfect time to get excited about the upcoming baseball action. So, mark your calendars, and get ready for the first pitch!
