Baseball is officially back. Today, Wednesday, February 11, marks the busiest day of the preseason calendar as MLB Spring Training 2026 kicks into high gear. While a handful of clubs opened their doors yesterday, the majority of the league’s pitchers and catchers are reporting to camps across Arizona and Florida this morning, signaling the start of a season defined by historic changes. From the debut of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system to the global excitement of the World Baseball Classic 2026, this year’s spring camp is unlike any other in recent memory.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Who Arrives Today?

For millions of fans, the phrase "pitchers and catchers report" is the unofficial end of winter. Today sees the largest wave of arrivals, with equipment trucks unloaded and physicals underway for nearly half the league. Teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies are welcoming their battery mates to camp today. They join the early birds—including the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox—who reported yesterday.

The remaining squads, including the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins, will finalize their arrivals tomorrow, February 12. This condensed reporting schedule is no accident; the league has pushed for an efficient start to accommodate the disrupted schedule caused by the upcoming international tournament.

The Robot Umpire Era Begins: ABS Challenge System

The biggest story of the 2026 MLB season preview isn't a player signing—it's technology. For the first time in Major League history, Spring Training games will feature the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system. Unlike the full "robo-ump" system initially tested in the minors, MLB has opted for a challenge-based format that preserves the human element of framing while offering a safety net for egregious missed calls.

How It Works in Spring Training

Starting with the Cactus League schedule openers on February 20, teams will be able to challenge ball-strike calls in real-time. Pitchers, catchers, and batters can tap their head to signal a challenge. If the Hawk-Eye tracking technology determines the human umpire missed the call, it is overturned instantly. This spring will be a critical adjustment period for catchers, whose framing metrics may be devalued, and for pitchers who can no longer rely on expanding the zone off the plate.

World Baseball Classic 2026 Rosters Shake Up Camps

General Managers are facing a unique logistical headache this spring: the World Baseball Classic 2026. With the tournament kicking off in early March, camps will feel significantly emptier than usual. Star players representing countries like the Dominican Republic, Japan, USA, and Venezuela will depart their MLB teams in just a few weeks to join their national squads.

This exodus creates a high-stakes environment for prospects and non-roster invitees. With superstars away, fringe players will get extended playing time in Grapefruit League news matchups. Watch for top prospects to face big-league pitching earlier in camp than usual, as managers scramble to fill innings. The intensity ramps up on March 3-4, when MLB clubs play exhibition games against WBC national teams—a rare chance to see club pride face off against national glory.

Key Dates: Cactus and Grapefruit League Openers

The exhibition season officially begins next week. The Cactus League schedule in Arizona and the Grapefruit League in Florida both launch their full slates on Saturday, February 21, though a few "soft openers" will take place on Friday, February 20.

  • Feb 20: First exhibition games (Padres vs. Mariners, Royals vs. Rangers).
  • Feb 21: Full 30-team slate begins.
  • March 3-4: MLB vs. WBC Exhibition Games.
  • March 6: World Baseball Classic Pool Play begins.

As players lace up their spikes today, the 2026 season promises to be a blend of tradition and futuristic innovation. Whether you are watching for the new ABS system or cheering on your country in the Classic, it all starts right now.