Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Nick Martinez (28) throws live batting practice during spring training workouts, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at the team’s spring training facility in

The San Francisco Giants and Athletics kick off spring training Saturday in Arizona. The Giants take on the Texas Rangers and the A’s face off against the San Diego Padres. Here’s how you can catch the action — including watching the A’s for free. When: Saturday, Feb. 22 at 12:05 p.m. PT

Verlander is a guru. His presence here is palpable. After his turn on the mound, he sat in the dugout with catcher Patrick Bailey and talked to him like Obi-Wan Kenobi spoke to Luke Skywalker. Student and teacher. And the student paid rapt attention.

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona − The Cincinnati Reds' bats went quiet against the San Francisco Giants in a 5-2 loss at Scottsdale Stadium on Sunday. Nick Martinez made relatively quick work of the Giants in his Cactus League debut after Reds manager Terry Francona endorsed Martinez to join the club's rotation earlier in the day.

Spring training, indeed, is almost here. San Francisco won’t have any major positional battles going into camp, but that doesn’t mean the next month-and-a-half won’t be without intrigue. Here’s what to watch for in Scottsdale: San Francisco Giants’ Marco Luciano (37) throws the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco,