The venerable Toledo Mud Hens open their 2025 season on Friday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. ET as they welcome in the Columbus Clippers, the Cleveland Guardians Triple-A affiliate, for three games at Fifth Third Field. The Mud Hens, or at least a team with that nickname, has played in Toledo since 1895. That’s a lot of history, though the current franchise will only turn 60 years old this season.
Fresh off back-to-back Eastern League titles managing the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, Gabe Alvarez now moves up as skipper of the major league feeder squad. He’ll start the season dealing with the fallout from the Tigers outfield injuries, but overall he has a pretty solid roster to work with and one that should include several prospects in development.