⚾ Spring training: Your insider’s guide to Cactus League…

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Fri Feb 21 2025

Jay Dieffenbach |

Hey readers,

Baseball fans in Arizona are celebrating.

Spring is almost here, but spring training is now.

The Cactus League schedule began with Thursday’s Chicago Cubs-Los Angeles Dodgers game from Camelback Ranch-Glendale and opens for all teams Friday, highlighted by the Arizona Diamondbacks–Colorado Rockies game at Salt River Fields.

The Arizona Republic’s team of writers will cover the Diamondbacks, home and road, and provide the best coverage fans can find.

The 10 spring training ballparks in the greater Phoenix area provide a gathering spot for fans eager to reunite with their favorite teams and stars.

The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres share Peoria Stadium, the Diamondbacks and Rockies share Salt River Fields, the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds share Goodyear Ballpark, the Dodgers and Chicago White Sox share Camelback Ranch and the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals share Surprise Stadium.

The Cubs (Sloan Park), Milwaukee Brewers (American Family Fields in Phoenix), Sacramento (formerly Oakland) Athletics (Hohokam Stadium), Los Angeles (Tempe Diablo Stadium) and Giants (Scottsdale Stadium) have a ballpark to call their own.

The big story of the Major League Baseball offseason was the mass — Diamondbacks fans would call it obscene — hoarding of top free agents by the defending World Series champion Dodgers, but the hometown team surprised its fan base with increased spending, too.

The Diamondbacks lured former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes — who already owned a home in the Valley — aboard with a six-year, $210 million contract. Burnes will team with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly to give Arizona a truly formidable trio at the top of the pitching rotation.

Year-round residents anticipating success for this year’s Diamondbacks are likely to be rewarded, as the team appears to boast all the elements needed to be a playoff contender.

As is the case for Cactus League teams, hope springs eternal.

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