MLB Baseball 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 24, 2026, 8:30 PM ET
National League Personnel Moves & Contracts
The Chicago Cubs secured center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong with a six-year, $115 million contract extension, locking up the young talent ahead of Opening Day, according to sources confirming the deal Tuesday. Elsewhere in the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers bolstered their bullpen by acquiring reliever Jake Woodford from the Rays in exchange for minor league right-hander K.C. Hunt. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox finalized their starting rotation, confirming that 23-year-old LHP Connelly Early, who pitched in last season's AL playoffs, will take his spot on the mound to begin the year rounding out the staff.
American League Updates & Legal Issues
New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole completed a positive spring outing in his final tune-up before the season, striking out three batters as he builds back arm strength after missing all of last year, though he will return to Florida briefly before rejoining the team. Off the field, a legal dispute emerged in the AL Central, as Hall of Famer Frank Thomas initiated a civil lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox, claiming the club used his likeness without authorization on the City Connect 2.0 uniforms worn during the 2023 campaign.