Morning Baseball Briefing – February 23
By Morgan Davis · Mon Feb 23 2026
Rare T206 Honus Wagner card sells for $5.124 million : Newly discovered tobacco card from 1909 featured on Netflix's "King of Collectibles" fetches massive price; PSA PR-FR 1 graded card pulled by Morton Bernstein from Sweet Caporal pack. (ESPN) Guardians sign Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal : Cleveland addresses offensive needs by adding former Phillies first baseman on minor league contract; 31-year-old coming off injury-shortened 2025 season with chance to compete for roster spot. (ESPN) Twins' Joe Ryan undergoes MRI for inflamed lower back : Minnesota right-hander gets imaging for lower back inflammation during spring training; no structural damage found but timeline for return unclear, considered day-to-day. (ESPN) Gerrit Cole hits 96.9 mph in first live batting practice session : Yankees ace shows velocity returning after elbow issues; threw two innings against hitters in Tampa, mixing four-seamers with breaking pitches as spring ramp-up continues. (ESPN) Pete Alonso homers in both spring games for Orioles : New Baltimore first baseman launches his second home run in two exhibition games; impressive start to O's career after leaving Mets in free agency. (MLB.com) Top prospect Konnor Griffin impresses Bryce Harper with 109.1 mph liner : MLB's No. 1 prospect laces scorching line drive to right field in Pirates-Phillies exhibition; two-time MVP Harper doing his own scouting from right field. (MLB.com) UCSB's Jackson Flora climbing 2026 MLB Draft boards : UC Santa Barbara right-hander's premium stuff has scouts taking notice; threw five innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts Friday, showcasing rising draft stock. (Baseball America)