To try and give his son, José Fermín, the chance to play big-league baseball someday and advance beyond the Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, sandlot games where he had topped out years earlier, José Fermín Sr. would sit for several minutes at a time, tear corn kernels off.

It will be a full-circle moment for Sonny Gray, whose first Opening Day start with the Cardinals will come against his former club, the Twins, who he left to sign with St. Louis as a free agent prior to the 2024 season.

Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing.

Down in a crouched position and bouncing on the balls of his feet, Willson Contreras aggressively charged a high-hopper and deftly picked the baseball near his left hip as teammates around him cheered his glovework.

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There will be regular-season baseball games played this week, which means it’s almost time to bid adieu to Spring Training.