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When does MLB spring training start? Report dates, schedule, rumors for 2025 season

The week is finally here when the first pitchers and catchers start reporting to spring training, with the Chicago Cubs getting the fun started on Monday. It means the 2025 MLB season is suddenly approaching, and even the baseball teams picked to finish at the bottom of the standings can hold out hope this is the year they're in the clubhouse that defies preseason expectations.

There's plenty to catch up on after another eventful MLB offseason followed the Los Angeles Dodgers winning another World Series. Their potential dominance over the sport looms large, particularly after they acquired Japanese ace Roki Sasaki and signed two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, outfielders Teoscar Hernandez and Michael Conforto, relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates to deals worth a combined $356 million this offseason. The Dodgers' payroll is up to $380 million in 2025.

But the New York Mets (Juan Soto), New York Yankees (Max Fried), Chicago Cubs (Kyle Tucker), Arizona Diamondbacks (Corbin Burnes), San Francisco Giants (Willy Adames), and the Athletics (Luis Severino) were among the franchises that made big splashes of some kind in recent months with an eye on mounting a postseason run and perhaps keep Los Angeles from a World Series repeat.

The months-long journey begins this week when the first players show up in Florida and Arizona for spring training. Here's a breakdown of when spring training workouts and games start for all 30 MLB teams this year, as well as the latest offseason hot stove rumors as organizations look to make last-minute roster adjustments:

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When does MLB spring training start?

(Pitchers and catchers report date, first full-squad workout)

Cactus League (Arizona)

Grapefruit League (Florida)

When do spring training games start?

The Cubs and Dodgers will kick off the spring training exhibition schedule on Thursday, Feb. 20, with a game at the Dodgers' home park in Glendale, Arizona. The next day – Friday, Feb. 21 – will have five games on the schedule, with another Dodgers-Cubs matchup at the Cubs' home park in Mesa, Arizona.

The Grapefruit League opener will have the New York Yankees hosting the Tampa Bay Rays at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. That's also where the Rays are scheduled to play this regular season after their longtime home, Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, suffered massive damage from Hurricane Milton last October.

Latest MLB rumors

-Contributing: USA TODAY Sports reporter Steve Gardner

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB spring training: Report dates, schedule, rumors for 2025 season