MLB Baseball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 22, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Opening Day Setbacks & Roster Moves
As the regular season approaches, several franchises dealt with significant roster adjustments stemming from recent injuries and performance evaluations. The Chicago Cubs will miss star outfielder Seiya Suzuki in Thursday’s season opener against Washington, as the team confirmed he is recovering from a minor ligament strain in his right knee sustained during the World Baseball Classic tournament. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles made a major rotation decision, optioning starter Dean Kremer to the minor leagues despite him leading the club last year in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts; this move signals the team’s calculated approach to building early-season pitching depth ahead of the opener.
Minor League Reassignments & Veteran Releases
Clubs continued to trim down to final Opening Day rosters, leading to several notable reassignments and releases across the league. Pittsburgh reassigned its top prospect, 19-year-old Konnor Griffin, to minor league camp Saturday, signaling he will not break with the major league club immediately. In related roster shaping, Texas granted its release to veteran reliever Ryan Brasier, formerly of the Red Sox and Cubs, while the Washington Nationals cut right-handed pitcher Drew Smith from his minor league agreement. Furthermore, outfielder Austin Slater exercised his release clause in his minor league deal with the Tigers after failing to secure a spot on the active roster out of camp.
Bullpen Roles & Final Roster Spots Secured
While some players faced cuts, others solidified their places, including veteran Randal Grichuk, who at age 34 successfully secured his spot on the Yankees' roster for the opener. In Queens, the New York Mets established their rotation plan, with manager Carlos Mendoza stating the team will utilize a five-man structure to commence the season, which includes slotting Sean Manaea into a piggyback role coming out of the bullpen initially to manage early workload.