Lewis, Hoglund Lead 2026 Spring Debuts: Key MLB Team Openers

The latest spring updates tie together two MLB teams at crossroads. The Minnesota Twins are juggling Royce Lewis’s latest health scare with a crowded trio of in-house options at third base. Meanwhile, the Oakland A’s are weighing Gunnar Hoglund’s knee issue against a depth chart full of young arms itching for rotation chances. The piece also highlights a wave of offseason acquisitions making their first appearances for new clubs in spring, giving fans a peek at what’s coming as camps finally pick up some game tempo.

Twins’ Lewis injury and the question of third-base depth

The Twins scratched third baseman Royce Lewis from a recent lineup due to side tightness he felt while running the bases. The team called the move precautionary. Lewis played a career-high 106 games last year. He struggled at the plate in 2025, slashing .237/.283/.388 in 403 plate appearances. This latest issue just adds to concerns about whether he can stay healthy enough to be Minnesota’s long-term answer at third base.

With Lewis out, Minnesota has a decision to make at third base. The position has depth, but not a lot of obvious production. Their options range from seasoned vets to young, high-ceiling guys. The real question isn’t just who plays, but how to keep Lewis healthy while still chasing upside for the future.

Twins’ depth options at third base

• Ryan Kreidler – A promising defender who’s shown versatility and made real progress in the minors. He could handle a big workload if Lewis misses time.
• Kody Clemens – More contact-oriented, steady with the glove, and brings a different offensive look for certain matchups.
• Tristan Gray – Young, with some upside, and might get regular at-bats if he impresses in camp.
• Eric Wagaman – Someone to keep an eye on in camp battles, with athleticism and a shot to help both at the plate and in the field.
• Gio Urshela on a minor-league deal – Veteran presence, could bridge the gap or just be a reliable fallback if Lewis can’t go.

For Minnesota, these three options blend defense-first skills with some offensive promise. The club will keep tracking whether Lewis can find his rhythm at the plate. Spring will show who actually grabs the in-season job if Lewis’s absence drags on.

Gunnar Hoglund’s knee issue and Oakland’s rotation depth

Oakland right-hander Gunnar Hoglund plans to meet with doctors about a knee issue that’s lingered through camp. He came over in the Matt Chapman trade as a former first-round pick. Hoglund made his MLB debut last season but struggled in six starts. His injury history is long—he missed half of last season after hip surgery and had Tommy John in 2021. It’s fair to wonder if he can ever stay healthy enough to break out in the A’s rotation.

If Hoglund can’t go to start the year or needs more time to ramp up, Oakland actually has a deep pool of young arms ready to step in. That depth is a big part of the A’s rebuild plan. The club will be watching closely to see who steps up while Hoglund sorts out his health and rehab timeline.

Rotation options behind Hoglund

• Jack Perkins – Young, with the right makeup to win a rotation spot in a competitive spring.
• Braden Nett – Known for repeating his delivery and maybe carving out a mid-rotation role.
• Henry Baez – Exciting prospect who could move fast if he has a strong camp.
• Joey Estes – Brings some upside and could hold things down if Hoglund needs extra time.
• Luis Morales – Another in-house option with a shot to surprise if he grabs the moment.

The A’s front office will keep a close eye on Hoglund’s progress. They have to balance protecting his arm with filling rotation spots that can keep the team competitive through spring and into the season. It’s not an easy call, honestly.

First appearances for new clubs in spring action

We’re finally seeing a bunch of offseason acquisitions take the field for their new teams in spring action. Fans get an early look at how rosters might shake out. Notable matchups are on the way, with several big names set to take the mound for their first looks in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues. Managers will be watching closely to see who fits and who’s in form.

Upcoming spring-start matchups to watch

• Orioles right-hander Shane Baz is scheduled to start against Pirates’ Mitch Keller in Florida. This one’s a bullpen-bolstering test for both sides and a key indicator of how ready Baz looks after working through his own injury-recovery cycle.
• Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta is also slated to start. He’ll face Cardinals southpaw Quinn Mathews, giving us a window into Peralta’s current command and velocity—always interesting to watch.
• Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera is lined up to face Guardians southpaw Logan Allen. It’s another head-to-head that should show us the early rhythm of Cabrera’s spring plan, though it’s way too early to draw big conclusions.

This week, spring news across the league keeps circling back to one thing: injuries test depth, and young arms need to step up. Early decisions in camp might just shape how teams handle the grind ahead.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The Opener: Lewis, Hoglund, Team Debuts