Pittsburgh put six players eligible for the Rule 5 Draft on their 40-man roster, including outfielder/first baseman Esmerlyn Valdez, infielder Jack Brannigan, right-handed pitchers in Brandon Bidois, Wilber Dotel and Antwone Kelly, plus left-handed pitcher Tyler Samaniego.

Major League Baseball’s Rule 5 Draft isn’t until December 10th, but today (Tuesday, November 18th) marks the deadline for teams to protect prospects who would otherwise be draft-eligible by adding them to their 40-man rosters.

The deadline for adding players to 40-man rosters is here. Teams have until 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft, which will take place Dec. 10 at the Winter Meetings in Orlando,

The Pittsburgh Pirates made their 40-man roster decisions, protecting players from the incoming Rule 5 Draft. Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reported that

Alongside their roster decisions, the White Sox also shared that Ellard has retired. Drafted in the eighth round in 2021, the southpaw’s 2025 season was derailed by injuries: a right hamstring strain in April, followed by a left lat strain in May that ultimately placed him on the 60-day IL.

MLB teams have until the late afternoon to make decisions that could change their trajectory entirely. The qualifying offer and Rule 5 Draft roster deadlines loom large.

Tuesday was an important day for roster moves around Major League Baseball, and the moves the Kansas City Royals didn't make said at least as much as those they