MLB Baseball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 21, 2026, 5:30 PM ET
MLB Roster Cuts & Final Preparations
As Major League Baseball teams finalize their Opening Day rosters, several veterans and high-profile prospects faced immediate roster decisions. The Texas Rangers granted their release to veteran reliever Ryan Brasier, formerly of the Red Sox and Cubs, while the Washington Nationals cut right-hander Drew Smith from his minor league agreement just ahead of the season's start. In other veteran movement, outfielder Austin Slater exercised a release clause in his minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers after learning he would not make the major league club, signaling a preference for immediate free agency opportunities.
American League Finalizations
The New York Yankees confirmed Randal Grichuk will occupy an outfield spot on the Opening Day roster, providing immediate veteran presence for the club. However, New York also made news by optioning top prospect Jasson Dominguez down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, indicating the team preferred to prioritize immediate readiness over accelerating the young outfielder's development. Meanwhile, in the National League, the Washington Nationals sent top prospect Dylan Crews to Triple-A Harrisburg due to visible hitting struggles during the final exhibition games, prioritizing his development path over immediate major league service time.
National League Rotation Clarity
Pitching plans solidified across the National League as the New York Mets opted for a five-man rotation structure to open the year, with left-hander Sean Manaea slated to begin in a piggyback role out of the bullpen rather than immediately slotting into the starting five. Conversely, the Philadelphia Phillies named rookie Andrew Painter as their definitive No. 5 starter following strong spring training results, manager Rob Thomson announced Friday. The Miami Marlins optioned lefty Braxton Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville, choosing instead to install right-hander Janson Junk as the team’s fifth starter entering the first full week of play.