2015 – As teams round out their rosters in preparation for Opening Day, the Mariners trade P Erasmo Ramirez, who is out of options, to Tampa Bay in return for minor league LhP Mike Montgomery.

The Mets make a couple of trades to bolster their bullpen, sending P Cory Mazzoni and a player to be named later to the Padres for Alex Torres, and OF Matt den Dekker to Washington in return for Jerry Blevins. Both pitchers acquired by the Mets are lefthanded.

As had been rumored, the Cubs announce that they have sent top prospect Kris Bryant to their minor league camp, even though he has had an outstanding spring training. Agent Scott Boras expresses outrage, claiming the move is motivated by financial and not baseball reasons, while the Players’ Association threatens some form or retaliation. However, Major League Baseball reminds everyone that teams have the sole right to determine which players end up on their roster, as confirmed under the Basic Agreement. Bryant will be called up on April 17th and will end up winning the Rookie of the Year Award.

2015 – Mariners pitching prospect Victor Sanchez passes away after spending 42 days in a coma following a swimming accident in his native Venezuela on February 13th.

2015 – Brady Aiken, the first overall pick in the 2014 amateur draft who failed to reach an agreement with the Houston Astros, announces that he has undergone Tommy John surgery and will be out of action for a year. It is particularly tough news for Aiken, who decided not to go to college in order to be eligible for this year’s draft; any club who selects him now will be making a big gamble, and is unlikely to make an offer anywhere near what Aiken turned down last year.

2015 – Hillerich & Bradsby, which has manufactured the iconic Louisville Slugger bats for 130 years, sells the brand to the rival Wilson Sporting Goods company for $70 million. The bats will continue to be produced in Louisville, KY and the Louisville Slugger Museum will also remain open.

2015 – Yankees prospect Jose Pirela runs into the center field fence at full speed in trying to chase down a drive off the bat of the Mets’ Juan Lagares. He suffers a concussion and has to be taken to hospital, but escapes more serious injury. Meanwhile, Lagares circles the bases with an inside-the-park home run.