The crack of the bat and the pop of the glove have returned. MLB's 2026 Spring Training is officially underway, as pitchers and catchers held their first workouts on February 11 across the sun-soaked complexes of Arizona and Florida. With full-squad workouts ramping up and the first exhibition games set for February 20, the baseball world is already buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be a landmark season.

Leading the early storylines is none other than Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates' flame-throwing right-hander and defending National League Cy Young Award winner. Skenes reported early to camp, a move that surprised no one familiar with his relentless work ethic. He has already thrown bullpen sessions, fine-tuning the arsenal that made him the most dominant pitcher in the National League last season. But Skenes is not just preparing for another run at the Cy Young. He is also gearing up for the World Baseball Classic, where he will represent the United States on the international stage before turning his full attention to the Pirates' regular season campaign.

Skenes' early arrival has set a tone in the Pirates' clubhouse, one that reflects a franchise increasingly serious about contending. His presence on the mound is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in baseball. Just a few years ago, Pittsburgh was mired in a seemingly endless rebuild. Now, with Skenes anchoring the rotation, the Pirates enter spring with legitimate optimism.

Beyond the individual narratives, the 2026 season carries historical weight that extends across the entire sport. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the National League's founding, a milestone that connects the modern game to its 19th-century origins. The American League, meanwhile, celebrates its 125th anniversary as a major league. Together, these milestones offer an opportunity to reflect on the evolution of baseball from its earliest days to the high-velocity, analytics-driven spectacle it has become.

The calendar itself is making history this year. Opening Day is set for March 25, the earliest scheduled start to a regular season in MLB history. The occasion will be marked by a standalone night game featuring the San Francisco Giants hosting the New York Yankees, a matchup that pairs two of the sport's most storied franchises under the primetime spotlight. It is a fitting way to launch a season built around celebration and legacy.

Fans will also benefit from a significant shift in how they consume the game. For the first time ever, every MLB team now offers a direct-to-consumer streaming option through MLB.tv. The move addresses years of frustration over regional blackouts and fragmented broadcast deals, giving supporters across the country unprecedented access to their favorite clubs from the very first pitch of spring.

As players stretch, throw, and shake off the rust of the offseason under the warm February sun, there is a palpable sense that 2026 could be a special year. The convergence of a generational talent like Skenes, historic league anniversaries, a record-early Opening Day, and expanded streaming access creates a perfect storm of excitement.

Spring training games begin on February 20, giving fans their first glimpse of rosters taking shape and young players fighting for roster spots. From there, the countdown to March 25 will move quickly. Baseball is back, and by every measure, it is arriving earlier and bigger than ever before.