Spring training is unveiling exciting developments for the Texas Rangers, particularly with Tyler Mahle. The right-handed pitcher, making his way back following Tommy John surgery, displayed notable improvement, with his fastball velocity climbing from 89-90 mph to 93.1 mph during his outing against the Cincinnati Reds. Mahle's performance included allowing just one run and recording three strikeouts in 57 pitches.

Equally impressive is Emiliano Teodo, the Rangers' fourth-ranked prospect, who recorded his second spring save, striking out three batters while reaching a remarkable 99.8 mph with his sinker. Meanwhile, veteran Luke Jackson is making a strong case for a bullpen spot, having struck out five of the seven batters faced in his outings.

Leody Taveras is also battling for outfield playing time, showing promise with two solid hits in the same game. As the Rangers finalize their roster, these players are certainly making their cases for key roles in the upcoming season.

As fantasy baseball drafts approach, the top-12 catchers for 2025 have been highlighted, offering valuable insights for managers. Leading the pack is William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers, whose stellar performance last season positioned him as the top option. His brother, Willson Contreras, now with the St. Louis Cardinals, has transitioned to first base, maintaining catcher eligibility while increasing his playing time.

Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles follows, though he faced challenges last season, impacting his stats. Salvador Perez remains a consistent powerhouse, showing no signs of decline. Yainer Diaz and Cal Raleigh are rising stars, while veteran Will Smith provides consistent production. Shea Langeliers and J.T. Realmuto round out the list, with Realmuto looking for a bounce-back season. New names like Logan O'Hoppe and Gabriel Moreno also make the cut, showcasing the depth at the position.

The Houston Astros are honing in on their roster decisions as they reassigned five players from major-league spring training to minor-league camp. Notably, Jacob Melton, the Astros' top outfield prospect, has been sidelined due to back issues, missing out on Grapefruit League action thus far. Alongside him, infielder Tommy Sacco Jr., catcher Miguel Palma, and pitchers Aaron Brown and Jose Fleury were also moved to minor-league camp. The Astros continue to seek a left-handed bat for their outfield as they prepare for their first minor-league full-squad workout.

Manager Joe Espada has indicated that Melton's condition is improving and a return to Grapefruit League play is anticipated later this week. Last season, Melton demonstrated promise at Triple-A with a .260/.314/.405 slash line across 47 games, making him a pivotal figure in the Astros' future outfield plans.

San Diego FC welcomes Issa Rae as a part of its ownership group, marking a significant moment for the expansion Major League Soccer club. The club, which begins its inaugural season on February 23 against the LA Galaxy, is also backed by billionaire Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Tribe, the first Native American tribe to invest in a professional soccer team. Rae, known for her work in 'Insecure' and her advocacy for underrepresented communities, stated her excitement about contributing to the team's journey in MLS.

The ownership group includes notable figures such as MLB star Manny Machado and former soccer professional Juan Mata, indicating a diverse range of talent and resources. Rae's investment, announced recently, aligns with her commitment to social causes and her belief in soccer's ability to unite people. This partnership, along with Pave Investments, hints at exciting developments ahead for San Diego FC as it aims to make its mark in the league.

Mickey Moniak has emerged victorious in his salary arbitration case against the Los Angeles Angels, receiving a raise to $2 million, while the team had proposed $1.5 million. This decision comes from the arbitration panel after hearing arguments from both sides.

Mark Leiter Jr. is also in the spotlight, becoming the first player to face a hearing with the New York Yankees since 2017. He requested $2.5 million, while the Yankees countered with an offer of $2.05 million. His decision will be announced alongside that of Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia and Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana.

Meanwhile, San Diego pitcher Michael King reached an agreement with the Padres for $7.75 million, after being acquired from the Yankees in the trade for Juan Soto. In addition, Milwaukee catcher William Contreras agreed to a $6.1 million deal, showcasing his standout performance from the previous season.

Moniak's statistics from last year included a .219 batting average with 14 home runs and a career-high 49 RBIs. This was his first arbitration eligibility after earning $770,000 previously. Several other players, including Luis Rengifo of the Angels and Nathaniel Lowe of the Nationals, are also set for hearings, highlighting a busy arbitration season.