Last updated: March 20, 2026, 10:30 PM ET
Pre-Season Roster Cuts & Pitching Decisions
Major League Baseball teams finalized several significant roster moves Friday, primarily involving high-profile prospects being optioned down to Triple-A 2. The New York Yankees sent outfielder Jasson Dominguez back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while the Washington Nationals made a similar move with top prospect Dylan Crews due to ongoing hitting struggles. Concurrently, the Philadelphia Phillies confirmed that rookie right-hander Andrew Painter secured the No. 5 starter role 3 for the Opening Day rotation under manager Rob Thomson. The Miami Marlins also adjusted their pitching staff, choosing to keep Janson Junk as their fifth starter after optioning lefty Braxton Garrett 4 to Jacksonville.
Contract Status Changes & Legal Matters
Several veteran players experienced immediate changes in their contractual status with the Minnesota Twins, as the organization released Liam Hendriks, Andrew Chafin, and Gio Urshela 6 from their minor league agreements. In Cleveland, Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were placed on unpaid non-disciplinary leave 7 as both await trial related to an alleged pitch-rigging scheme, following an agreement between the league and the players' union. Separately, off the field, the family of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner initiated a wrongful death lawsuit 5 against a Costa Rican resort where their 14-year-old son perished from carbon monoxide poisoning.