Freeland's spring debut to come against familiar Team USA squad

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – With his back spasms healed and a prevention program in place, Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland will make his 2026 Spring Training debut on Wednesday against Team USA ahead of the World Baseball Classic.

In 2023, Freeland pitched in two games for the Team USA squad that made it to the championship game before losing in the final, 1-0, to Japan. Wednesday’s start at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick will carry a little more juice and enjoyment than a first start of a Cactus League season.\

“I played for them a few years ago and [manager] Mark DeRosa is back at the helm,” said Freeland, who expects to go one inning, the way most Rockies starters have this spring. “It’s going to be fun to face them, and face some old teammates. There are guys that I know in the league that I’ll face with USA across their chest."

Freeland, who turns 33 on May 14, is always up for something new. He has embraced front-office and coaching staff changes after three straight losing seasons.

Now he has new maintenance workouts.

Freeland missed time last June with a back issue, but still made 31 starts. Freeland believes addressing the mid-back spasms before games began not only prevented further injury, but gave him a strategy for keeping his back healthy throughout the regular season.

“Time will tell,” said Freeland, who earns $16 million this year to end a five-year, $64.5 million deal, but has a vesting option for 2027 at $17 million if he reaches 170 innings pitched this season. “There’s some stuff that we’re adding to my routine, stuff that I’m going to continue to do in the training room. Hopefully, it’s going to pay dividends throughout the season, keeping me healthy and keeping my back and hips feeling good.

“It’s, in general, keeping the T-spine open and having good mobility, and with that there are exercises I can do in the weight room and training room to allow me to keep that mobility.”

Freeland’s calm response to the early health setback gives him a chance to reach season goals.

“I’m not worried about Free at all – he’s looked good during his last two ‘pens, looks normal,” manager Warren Schaeffer said.

A leader of the staff during postseason runs in 2017 and 2018 who has had dramatic fortune swings and health challenges since, Freeland continues a career-long quest to develop a changeup that is effective and he can stick with long-term. Testing will occur Wednesday against the USA squad.

“We’re working hard trying to get something that I’m comfortable with, that can profile off my fastball,” Freeland said. “There’s a lot of good stuff. I’m excited to see it in the game.”

Injury news involving key players is generally positive. Infielder Tyler Freeman (low back strain) took live batting practice on Sunday and is expected in game action this week. Center fielder Brenton Doyle (left wrist sprain) is scheduled to resume baseball activity this week.

DAMAGE MINDSET

Right-handed-hitting third baseman Kyle Karros arrived at camp with added muscle after wearing out at the end of last season. But brains will mean as much as brawn in his quest for a Major League roster spot and the starting job that would go with it.

Karros has the makings of a well-above average Major League defender. Offensively, there is raw talent, but last year – when he rose from Double-A to Triple-A to the Majors by August – was just his second professional season.

The idea of a slugging mindset bore fruit on his first homer of the spring in Monday’s 7-5 loss to the Dodgers. Karros delivered a Statcast-projected 391-foot pull shot to left on a 96.5 mph, first-pitch fastball from Dodgers righty Carson Hobbs, who struck out 63 in 53 Minor League innings last year in his first full pro season. The homer came immediately after veteran Mickey Moniak’s second spring homer.

“I’ve always done pretty well with swing decisions, but something I wanted to prioritize this offseason was my contact point,” Karros said. “It’s not so much changing my swing but catching more balls out front – and knowing situations where you can play around a little bit more out front. Because that’s where production lies.

“You don’t want to be playing out front if you’re down in the count or battling with two strikes. You want to see it a little deeper. But today that pitch was 97, up above the strike zone. That’s where all the production is going to be for me. And it’s something I haven’t really tapped into.”

RESPONDING TO THE ASSIGNMENT

Like Karros, right-handed-hitting Ryan Ritter also finished last year in the Majors and learned the hard way how long the season is. But he’s back this year stronger and more versatile. For the second time this spring, he made a solid throw from left field as part of a relay that cut down a possible run at the plate. Non-roster shortstop Chad Stevens had the relay throw.

Ritter played the middle infield during his Major League debut last season, but is being tested in the outfield to see if he can increase his chances.

“Rit has really taken to left field very well, and he’s hitting the ball well too,” Schaeffer said of Ritter, who had an RBI single. “It’s tough for a guy to show up in spring and add a new position, and he’s done really well.”