Last updated: March 24, 2026, 2:30 AM ET
Spring Training Final Cuts & Roster Shakes
The flurry of final roster decisions continued across Major League Baseball as teams solidified their Opening Day entities after the final exhibition contests were played. On the injury front, the Braves suffered a major blow as right-hander Spencer Strider was diagnosed with an oblique strain, necessitating a start on the injured list, while the Rays will also open without infielder Gavin Lux, who is heading to the IL due to a right shoulder impingement. Adding to the injury woes, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki will begin the year sidelined after sustaining a strained knee ligament during World Baseball Classic play, though the club is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to secure breakout star Pete Crow-Armstrong long-term with a new contract.
Several clubs announced positive news regarding players returning from injury or securing final spots. Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy confirmed that two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff will take the mound for their fifth game on March 31, successfully navigating his recovery from a lat strain. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers secured a veteran presence, with 39-year-old Andrew McCutchen earning his Opening Day roster spot after posting an impressive .444 batting average with three doubles and a home run this spring. The Rangers also delivered good news internally, as rookie right-hander Carter Baumler received a mound visit from Skip Schumaker who informed the young pitcher he had made the club before the game concluded.
The Los Angeles Dodgers experienced pitching turbulence as Japanese import Roki Sasaki struggled again in his final spring outing, issuing six walks and surrendering five earned runs across just two-plus innings of work, raising concerns about his readiness for the season. Contrastingly, the New York Mets are rewarding surging performance, naming prospect Carson Benge the starting right fielder after he sizzled to a .366 average throughout Grapefruit League action. The St. Louis Cardinals also confirmed that the seventh overall pick from the 2024 draft, JJ Wetherholt out of West Virginia, will break camp with the major league roster. However, the New York Yankees elected to keep Luis Gil in the minors, as he did not secure a spot in the initial starting rotation plans.
Front Office Stability & Offseason Artifacts
In front office movements, the Toronto Blue Jays ensured continuity by announcing extensions for both general manager Ross Atkins, who signed a five-year deal, and manager John Schneider, who secured a two-year agreement to remain at the helm. In transactional news, the Detroit Tigers executed a move to bolster their relief corps by signing right-hander Connor Seabold to a one-year split contract, simultaneously placing Beau Briske on the 60-day injured list to clear a roster spot. Outside of immediate roster construction, the WBC memorabilia market remains hot, evidenced by the jersey Shohei Ohtani wore during Japan's 13-0 victory over Chinese Taipei fetching a record $1,500,010 at MLB Auctions Sunday night.