On March 6, the Cardinals, Royals, and Phillies were among the Major League teams that made cuts to their respective 2026 Spring Training rosters. Additionally, the Astros brought back one of the players who was on Houston’s World Series-winning roster from four years earlier.

Cardinals demote six

The Cardinals optioned five players to Triple-A Memphis. Those players were catcher Jimmy Crooks, pitcher Tink Hence, infielder Cesar Prieto, Leonardo Bernal, and outfielder Bryan Torres.

Bernal and Crooks are two of the better catchers in the Cardinals’ farm system. Crooks made his MLB debut late last season, while Bernal made a lot of contact and was very reliable offensively last season in Double-A Springfield.

Crooks went 4-12 with a home run and four RBI in five Grapefruit League games. Bernal went 2-5 in abbreviated action.

Torres, who went 2-10 with the Cardinals in camp, is currently with Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 WBC.

Pitcher Skylar Hales was sent to Minor League camp.

Astros bring in Vazquez

Speaking of the World Baseball Classic, Puerto Rico catcher Christian Vazquez was signed by the Astros. It’s a Minor League deal that comes with an invite to Spring Training, per the team.

The 35-year-old had a difficult 2025 season for the Twins, at least offensively. Vazquez slashed .189/.271/.274 for the Twins. He was once used in a true platoon with Ryan Jeffers but only got into 65 contests last season. Part of that was thanks to a shoulder infection that landed him on the IL.

Vazquez is no stranger to Houston. He was part of the Astros’ championship team in 2022.

Phillies cut

The Phillies optioned four players on March 7.

Pitcher Jean Cabrera and outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr., the latter of whom hit for a lot of power last season in Triple-A, were both sent to Lehigh Valley.

Moises Chace and Yoniel Curet were optioned to Double-A Reading.

Other moves

The Royals optioned pitchers Steven Zobac and Ben Kudrna to Triple-A Omaha. Left-hander Chazz Martinez was reassigned to Minor League camp.

Angels outfielder Nelson Rada was reassigned to Minor League camp.

The Orioles optioned pitcher Brandon Young to Triple-A Norfolk.

Additionally, the Chicago White Sox reassigned pitcher Noah Schultz and optioned Tanner McDougal to Triple-A Charlotte.

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