The St. Louis Cardinals are hoping to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Cincinnati before their opener against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. St. Louis is optimistic they will have doses of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine available for members of their traveling party, which includes the 26-man roster, the taxi squad, the coaching staff, and support personnel.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is at peace with starting the season without a contract extension. No deal has been reached with the club despite Rizzo setting a contract extension deadline for opening day. The three-time All-Star has now instructed his agents to end negotiations with the organization so he can concentrate on baseball. The 31-year-old is entering the second of two option years the team exercised on him after completing a 7-year, 41-million-deal in 2019.
Mike Soroka’s comeback is another step closer. The right-hand pitcher will make his spring training debut today when he takes the mound for an inning or two in Atlanta’s Grapefruit League finale against the Red Sox. Soroka has pitched in numerous simulated games this spring, but the Braves have been cautious with his recovery from a torn Achilles as he approaches eight months of post-surgery recovery.