MLB Baseball 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 20, 2026, 7:35 PM ET
MLB Roster Moves & Lineup Decisions
Several National League clubs finalized starting rotation decisions ahead of Opening Day, with the Phillies officially naming rookie right-hander Andrew Painter as their No. 5 starter. Conversely, the Marlins optioned southpaw Braxton Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville while opting to keep Janson Junk in the rotation mix for the final spot. Meanwhile, high-profile organizational decisions involved the Nationals, who sent top prospect Dylan Crews to Triple-A due to early hitting struggles, suggesting immediate performance benchmarks are being enforced across the league.
Off-Field Legal Proceedings
Separate from on-field activity, the family of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against a Costa Rican resort where their 14-year-old son, Miller, was tragically found deceased due to carbon monoxide poisoning. This unexpected litigation involving a former major league player's relatives surfaces as teams prepare for the regular season slate.