Last updated: March 20, 2026, 7:35 PM ET
MLB Roster Moves & Pitching Decisions
Several clubs finalized rotation spots and made significant developmental decisions Friday, with the Washington Nationals optioning top prospect Dylan Crews to Triple-A due to ongoing hitting struggles at the plate. Concurrently, the Philadelphia Phillies confirmed rookie Andrew Painter as their No. 5 starter for Opening Day, a measure indicating confidence in the young arm's readiness for the major league stage. In Miami, the Marlins sent lefty Braxton Garrett to Jacksonville, clearing the path for Janson Junk to secure the final rotation slot, demonstrating an aggressive approach to setting the early-season pitching hierarchy across the league.
Player Contract Status & Legal Matters
The Minnesota Twins released three veterans—Liam Hendriks, Andrew Chafin, and Gio Urshela—from their minor league contracts, signaling the club's final cuts as the season approaches. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians placed pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on unpaid non-disciplinary leave while they await legal proceedings related to an alleged pitch-rigging scheme, a situation that immediately impacts their bullpen depth. Separately, the family of former Yankee Brett Gardner filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a Costa Rican resort following the tragic carbon monoxide death of their 14-year-old son, Miller, placing a somber legal cloud over the former outfielder's offseason.
Collecting & Memorabilia Market
The high-end sports collectible market saw major action as a highly coveted 2025 Topps Chrome dual MVP gold Logoman card, featuring game-worn patches from both Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, sold for $2.16 million. This transaction underscores the sustained premium placed on modern baseball iconography, driven by the combined market appeal of the reigning American League and National League Most Valuable Players.