The long winter wait is finally over. MLB Spring Training 2026 officially begins today, February 20, bringing the crack of the bat and the pop of the glove back to Florida and Arizona. As Grapefruit and Cactus League play gets underway, the baseball world isn't just watching for the first home runs of the spring; they are witnessing a historic shift in how the game is officiated. With the full-scale debut of the MLB ABS system (Automated Ball-Strike) and marquee stars like Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman donning shocking new uniforms, the road to the 2026 World Series starts with unprecedented intrigue.
The Robot Umps Are Here: ABS System Changes the Game
For the first time in Major League history, the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System is live in every MLB stadium for Spring Training. After years of testing in the minor leagues, the 2026 season marks the full arrival of this technology. Unlike a fully automated zone, the league has opted for a challenge-based system that keeps the human element of umpiring intact while providing a safety net for egregious calls.
Under the new rules, each team is allotted two challenges per game. If a pitcher, catcher, or batter believes a call at the plate was incorrect, they can signal for an immediate review. The ABS technology then tracks the ball's trajectory to determine if it clipped the zone. If the challenge is successful, the call is overturned, and the team retains their challenge. Early reports from camps suggest teams are scrambling to develop strategies on when to burn these precious challenges, adding a new tactical layer to MLB scores today.
Player Reactions to the Tech
The feedback from the clubhouse has been mixed but cautiously optimistic. Hitters, in particular, are eager to see the strike zone standardized. "It changes the way you approach a two-strike count," said one veteran slugger during batting practice this morning. "Knowing you can correct a mistake on the corner gives you the confidence to lay off that borderline pitch."
New Threads, New Expectations: Alonso and Bregman Debut
While the tech is the talk of the industry, fans flocking to the 2026 MLB schedule openers are there to see the faces of their franchises—new and old. Two of the winter's biggest free-agent signings are set to make their debuts, reshaping the power dynamics of their respective leagues.
Pete Alonso's Orioles Debut
Perhaps the most jarring sight of the spring will be seeing the "Polar Bear" in black and orange. After signing a massive five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore, Pete Alonso Orioles debut is the headline event of the Grapefruit League. Alonso joins a young, star-studded core that has dominated the AL East in recent years, providing the veteran power presence the front office has long coveted.
Alonso is scheduled to take his first swings today in a highly anticipated matchup against the New York Yankees. The symbolism of facing his former crosstown rivals in his first game with Baltimore hasn't been lost on the media. "I'm just here to help this team win a ring," Alonso told reporters earlier this week. "The orange looks good, doesn't it?"
Alex Bregman Joins the North Siders
Over in the Cactus League, the Chicago Cubs are unleashing their own prize acquisition. The Alex Bregman Cubs era begins today after the third baseman inked a $175 million deal to anchor the infield at Wrigley. Bregman's championship pedigree is viewed as the missing piece for a Cubs team desperate to return to the Fall Classic. His leadership and glove are expected to stabilize the hot corner, but it's his bat that fans are eager to see in the lineup today as Cactus League games today get underway.
Opening Day Matchups and What to Watch
The slate for today is packed, but all eyes are on the Grapefruit League opener featuring the Yankees visiting the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. This game offers the first real look at how the ABS system functions in a broadcast environment and how the new-look Orioles lineup meshes. Meanwhile, the split-squad action and early innings will likely feature top prospects fighting for roster spots ahead of the World Baseball Classic break.
As you check MLB scores today, remember that the results matter less than the process. Pitchers are testing new grips, hitters are adjusting their timing, and managers are figuring out how to navigate the new challenge system. But make no mistake: baseball is back, and the 2026 season promises to be unlike any we've seen before.
Whether you're tracking the Cactus League games today or following the action in Florida, the energy is palpable. The future of baseball has arrived, and it's being umpired by lasers and led by stars in new colors.
