Last updated: March 24, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Spring Training Pitching & Roster Clarity
The final roster decisions are shaping up across the league amid mixed results from high-profile arms, with Los Angeles Dodgers ace Roki Sasaki enduring another difficult outing Monday, walking six and surrendering five earned runs across just two-plus innings of work. In contrast, Texas Rangers rookie Carter Baumler received a crucial mound visit from manager Skip Schumaker late Monday, not for an early hook, but to inform the right-hander that he had officially secured a spot on the Opening Day roster. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers confirmed that two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff, recovering from a lat strain, is slated to make the team’s fifth start on March 31 against the New York Mets, signaling confidence in his recovery timeline.
Major League Contracts & Extensions
Front office stability was secured in Toronto as the Blue Jays announced dual extensions, locking manager John Schneider in for two more years while granting General Manager Ross Atkins a five-year commitment. This organizational continuity comes as other teams finalize their core groups, with the Chicago Cubs reportedly nearing an agreement to secure center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, a breakout star from last season. Adding veteran presence, the Texas Rangers officially placed 39-year-old Andrew McCutchen on the Opening Day roster after he posted an impressive .444 batting average with three doubles and a home run during Grapefruit League action.
Opening Day Injured List Designations
Several clubs were forced to place key players on the injured list as the season approaches, dealing significant early blows to club ambitions. The Atlanta Braves rotation sustained a major setback when right-hander Spencer Strider was diagnosed with an oblique strain, forcing him to begin the year on the IL. Similarly, the Chicago Cubs confirmed that outfielder Seiya Suzuki will start the season sidelined due to a strained knee ligament sustained during the World Baseball Classic, while the Tampa Bay Rays will be without infielder Gavin Lux, who is being placed on IR with a right shoulder impingement.
Roster Finalizations & Prospect Promotions
Teams continued to trim their spring squads, resulting in high-profile placements for both prospects and veterans. Despite a sizzling .366 spring training performance, Mets prospect Carson Benge earned the starting right field job, manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed Monday. The St. Louis Cardinals are also elevating youth, slotting top 2024 amateur draft pick JJ Wetherholt, selected seventh overall out of West Virginia, onto the Opening Day roster. Conversely, the New York Yankees decided against including right-hander Luis Gil in the starting rotation, suggesting he will begin the year developing in the minor leagues.
Minor Moves and Roster Adjustments
In less dramatic moves, the Detroit Tigers solidified their bullpen depth by signing right-handed reliever Connor Seabold to a one-year split contract, while simultaneously moving Beau Brieske onto the 60-day injured list. These transactional updates arrive as the league digests the offseason chaos, which included major free-agent movements like the reported record-breaking contract secured by Kyle Tucker from the Dodgers and the blockbuster trade involving Pete Alonso’s departure from the Mets, setting the stage for what promises to be a turbulent 2024 campaign following the extensive winter shuffling documented by analysts.