Overview

• Manfred ruled that MLB’s permanent ineligibility ends at a player’s death, clearing the way for Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson to be considered by the Hall of Fame’s Classic Era committee in December 2027.
• An 11-member competition committee will review the Automated Ball-Strike System, tested during spring training challenges, for potential adoption in the 2026 regular season.
• MLB is in talks with three prospective partners to replace ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball with new national broadcast packages running through the 2028 rights cycle.
• Tampa Bay Rays are expected to return to Tropicana Field in 2026 as roof repairs progress, while the Oakland Athletics advance site work for their planned Las Vegas ballpark aiming for a 2028 opening.
• Commissioner Manfred says baseball’s bargaining positions, including a potential salary cap, will be finalized after the 2025 season ahead of spring 2026 negotiations with the players’ association.