MLB Baseball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 21, 2026, 1:30 AM ET
MLB Roster Moves & Personnel Decisions
As the final days of spring training conclude, several organizations made significant cuts to their active rosters, signaling imminent Opening Day decisions across the league. The New York Yankees optioned highly touted outfielder Jasson Dominguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, a move that follows a similar demotion for Washington Nationals top prospect Dylan Crews, who is heading to Triple-A due to persistent hitting struggles reported by sources. In Miami, the Marlins also sent lefty Braxton Garrett down to Jacksonville, leaving Janson Junk slated for the No. 5 starter role, while Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson confirmed that rookie right-hander Andrew Painter has successfully secured the final spot in the Phillies' starting rotation as the fifth starter. These downward assignments represent the final calibration for teams before the season officially commences.
Further roster adjustments saw Minnesota release three established veterans from minor league contracts after they did not secure major league spots; specifically, the Twins let go of Liam Hendriks, left-hander Andrew Chafin, and infielder Gio Urshela on Friday. Separately, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were placed on leave without pay, as the club and the players’ union agreed to the move while both await trial proceedings related to an alleged pitch-rigging scheme. These personnel shifts indicate immediate roster restructuring ahead of the regular season, contrasting with the long-term value assessment seen in the collectibles market, where a dual MVP gold card featuring Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani fetched $2.16 million in a recent auction, reflecting the immense market value of current top talent.
Off-Field Developments & Future Outlook
While immediate roster status is being finalized, other news focused on legal matters and long-term potential. The family of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a Costa Rican resort following the tragic death of their 14-year-old son, Miller, from carbon monoxide poisoning. Meanwhile, ESPN analyst Olney detailed seven takeaways from the recent spring training sessions, advising readers on for as the World Baseball Classic concludes and the focus shifts entirely to the upcoming schedule. Separately, despite current industry sentiment suggesting he might be overlooked this season, Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford is being positioned as a sleeper candidate for the American League MVP award in 2026, contingent upon his development over the next year.