MLB news roundup: Seattle celebrates Cal Raleigh, Tarik Skubal’s Team USA call,meaningful move by Nick Gonzales

Cal Raleigh, Tarik Skubal, and Nick Gonzales are all making news for very different reasons, but each moment says a lot about where baseball is right now. One player just had a season for the history books. Another is gearing up to represent the country on the biggest stage. The third made a quiet but meaningful choice to honor a legend. All three stories came out this week and quickly caught attention across Major League Baseball. Each update shows a mix of performance, pride, and respect for the game.

Cal Raleigh: Earns Breakout Star of the Year after historic season with Seattle Mariners

Cal Raleigh gave Seattle Mariners fans a season they will never forget. On December 18, 2025, Sports Illustrated named the 28-year-old catcher its Breakout Star of the Year for 2025. Raleigh hit 60 home runs in the regular season, the most ever by a catcher or a switch hitter in MLB history.

He also won the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game and hit five more home runs in the playoffs. Those big hits helped push Seattle to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Raleigh finished the season with 125 RBIs and earned his first All-Star selection.

Sports Illustrated called it “one of the greatest seasons by a catcher of all time.” Raleigh also won the Silver Slugger, Platinum Glove, and Sporting News Player of the Year awards. Fans in Seattle, who lovingly call him “Big Dumper,” watched him turn into a full-blown superstar.

Tarik Skubal: Joins Team USA roster for 2026 World Baseball Classic

Tarik Skubal added another big moment to his growing résumé. On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Detroit Tigers ace confirmed he will pitch for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Skubal is coming off back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025. Last season, he went 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA and struck out 241 batters. He now joins Paul Skenes at the top of Team USA’s rotation.

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa is building a strong staff that also includes Joe Ryan and Nolan McLean. The tournament begins March 5, 2026, with games in Miami and Houston. After finishing with silver in 2023, the United States is aiming for gold.

Nick Gonzales: Changes jersey number to honor Pirates legend Dave Parker

Nick Gonzales made headlines for a move rooted in respect. The Pittsburgh Pirates infielder changed his jersey number from 39 to 3, a switch revealed on the team’s updated roster on December 18, 2025.

Gonzales made the change to honor Dave Parker, the Hall of Famer who wore number 39 for Pittsburgh from 1973 to 1983. Parker passed away in June 2025 after battling Parkinson’s disease and was inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously.

“If you’re in the Hall of Fame, I shouldn’t be wearing your number,” Gonzales said earlier this year. Parker helped the Pirates win the 1979 World Series, and many fans now hope the team retires number 39 permanently.

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