MLB Baseball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 22, 2026, 4:35 AM ET
Opening Day Roster Moves & Injuries
As teams finalize their rosters ahead of Thursday's openers, several established players are facing setbacks or unexpected demotions. Chicago's Seiya Suzuki is slated to miss the Cubs' debut against Washington after sustaining a minor ligament strain in his right knee during World Baseball Classic play, forcing manager Craig Counsell to adjust early. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles optioned Dean Kremer to the minors despite the right-hander leading the team last season in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts, signaling a desire to prioritize development or manage early-season pitching workloads. On the veteran front, 34-year-old outfielder Randal Grichuk successfully secured a spot on the New York Yankees' Opening Day roster, providing experienced outfield depth for the Bronx club.
Minor League Reassignments & Veteran Releases
The final cuts across MLB saw several high-profile prospects and journeymen reassigned or released from their contracts over the weekend. Pittsburgh reassigned top prospect Konnor Griffin, the highly touted 19-year-old, to minor league camp on Saturday as the Pirates whittled down their Grapefruit League participants. Simultaneously, several free agents or players on minor league deals were granted their outright freedom, including veteran reliever Ryan Brasier, who was released by the Texas Rangers after stints with the Red Sox and Cubs. Furthermore, outfielder Austin Slater exercised the release clause in his contract with the Tigers after failing to secure a spot on the active roster, and the Washington Nationals also released right-hander Drew Smith from his minor league agreement.
Pitching Rotation Adjustments
In Queens, the New York Mets set their initial rotation plans, opting for flexibility to begin the season. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the team will utilize a five-man structure wherein veteran starter Sean Manaea is scheduled to begin the year coming out of the bullpen in a specialized piggyback role, a strategy designed to ease him into high-leverage situations early in the schedule.