The 2025 MLB season has officially kicked off, featuring 28 of the 30 MLB teams on Opening Day. Highlighting the event are the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, last year's World Series participants. Notably, Lars Nootbaar stands out as the only USC alum on an active MLB roster, having played 109 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024. Garrett Stubbs, previously the No. 2 catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, has been optioned to Triple-A. Other former Trojans like Kyle Hurt and Tyler Gilbert are sidelined with injuries, while Blake Sabol starts the season in Triple-A with the Boston Red Sox.

The roster also features notable coaches from USC, including Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, emphasizing USC's lasting impact in Major League Baseball.

Alan Trejo made his mark in Texas Rangers spring training history by being the first player to utilize the Automated Ball Strike (ABS) replay challenge system. In a 5-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, Trejo challenged a strike call during the eighth inning, but the review confirmed the umpire's call, resulting in a strikeout. Manager Bruce Bochy found the challenge entertaining, noting the quick pace of the review.

The game featured several notable performances, including pitcher Dane Dunning, who showed promise by throwing two scoreless innings. However, Leody Taveras continued to struggle against left-handers, grounding out and flying out in his at-bats. Alejandro Osuna also had a mixed performance, making a base-running mistake but redeeming himself with a sliding catch. As the Rangers prepare for the upcoming season, their ability to utilize the ABS system and address player performances will be crucial.

The Boston Red Sox have made a significant move by acquiring catcher Blake Sabol from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for international signing bonus pool allocation. Sabol, who is 27 years old, has shown potential with a .313 batting average over 11 games with the Giants.

Though his major league career has seen him batting .243 with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs in 121 games, Sabol spent the majority of the 2024 season at Triple-A Sacramento. In order to accommodate Sabol on their 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated right-handed pitcher Chase Shugart for assignment.

The Boston Red Sox have made a strategic move by acquiring catcher Blake Sabol from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for international signing bonus pool allocation.

Sabol, 27, demonstrated potential by batting .313 across 11 games with the Giants, although he spent the majority of the 2024 season at Triple-A Sacramento. His major league career spans 121 games, where he holds a batting average of .243, with 13 home runs and 44 runs batted in. To accommodate Sabol on their 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated right-hander Chase Shugart for assignment.

Blake Sabol has been traded from the San Francisco Giants to the Boston Red Sox, shortly after being designated for assignment. This move comes as the Giants made room for pitcher Justin Verlander on their roster. Alongside Sabol's trade, the Giants also sent pitching prospect William Kempner to the Miami Marlins in exchange for international bonus pool money.

With the 2025 international signing period commencing, the Giants are looking to enhance their roster, particularly focusing on prospects like Dominican shortstop Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez. The franchise, having previously signed top players like Matt Chapman and Blake Snell, needed to replenish their international pool as they entered the signing period with fewer funds compared to other teams.