MLB Baseball 8 Hours

Last updated: March 24, 2026, 1:30 AM ET

MLB Roster Finalizations & Player Updates

Major League Baseball teams finalized several key roster decisions, with the Chicago Cubs nearing an agreement to secure center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, a breakout performer from last season. Across the league, several high-profile prospects earned their spots; the Mets confirmed Carson Benge will start in right field after hitting .366 this spring, while the Cardinals elevated top draft pick JJ Wetherholt to the Opening Day roster. These announcements contrast sharply with the struggles faced by established arms, as Dodgers ace Roki Sasaki had another difficult outing Monday, surrendering five runs and walking six batters over just two-plus innings of work.

Veteran Returns & Injury Management

The Texas Rangers solidified their veteran presence by confirming that 39-year-old Andrew McCutchen will make the roster following a productive spring where he posted a .444 batting average with three doubles. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers avoided placing Brandon Woodruff on the Injured List, announcing the two-time All-Star right-hander will instead make the team's fifth scheduled start on March 31, recovering from a lingering lat strain. In Texas, a different kind of positive news arrived when rookie right-hander Carter Baumler received a mound visit from manager Skip Schumaker who informed him he had secured his spot on the major league club before the final out of his last exhibition game.

Pitching Staff Adjustments

Teams continued to adjust their pitching depth as the season approaches, with the Detroit Tigers signing Connor Seabold to a one-year split contract. This transaction coincided with the Tigers placing reliever Beau Briske on the 60-day injured list, an administrative move necessary to accommodate roster space and manage Briske’s recovery. These personnel shifts underscore the final roster crunch now facing clubs as they prepare for Opening Day assignments across the league.