MLB Baseball 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 16, 2026, 10:30 PM ET
Spring Training & Player Availability
The Cactus League schedule faces potential adjustments as high temperatures threaten to impact games, with organizers considering midday start times to avoid the triple-digit heat currently affecting Arizona workouts. Meanwhile, player availability remains a concern across several organizations; Guardians third baseman Jose Ramírez was labeled day-to-day after exiting Sunday’s contest versus the Athletics due to soreness in his left shoulder, though tests suggest he avoided a major issue. In San Diego, starter Joe Musgrove is likely to begin the season on the injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of last year.
World Baseball Classic & Roster News
International tournament scheduling brought immediate changes, as Italy tapped Aaron Nola to start Monday night’s semifinal matchup against Venezuela, bypassing Michael Lorenzen for the critical contest. For Team USA, the status of All-Star closer Mason Miller remains TBD for Tuesday's championship game, according to manager Craig Stammen. On the domestic front, the Dodgers confirmed that World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start their season opener on March 26 against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix.
Disciplinary Actions
Major League Baseball levied a substantial penalty against the Philadelphia Phillies, suspending outfielder Johan Rojas for 80 games after he tested positive for the banned substance Boldenone. This immediate suspension removes a key component of the Phillies' outfield early in the regular season, forcing the club to recalibrate defensive and offensive strategies just weeks before games count toward the standings.