Introduction

As spring training ramps up, Major League Baseball (MLB) teams are finalizing their starting rotations for the 2026 season. With the free-agent market having shifted several notable players to new teams, including Framber Valdez and Dylan Cease, teams now have a clearer picture of how their pitching staffs will shape up. Here’s a comprehensive look at each MLB team's projected starting rotation as players gear up for another exciting season.

A Look at the Starting Rotations

While some teams welcome new faces, others are maintaining a sense of continuity as the new season approaches. Injuries and trades can always alter these projections, but for now, here's how teams are expected to line up in 2026.

Arizona Diamondbacks

1. RHP Zac Gallen2. RHP Ryne Nelson3. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez4. RHP Brandon Pfaadt5. RHP Michael SorokaIL: RHP Corbin Burnes, RHP Merrill Kelly

The Diamondbacks have solidified their rotation with the re-signing of Merrill Kelly, though injury concerns leave them relying heavily on Gallen, who will likely be the Opening Day starter.

Oakland Athletics

1. RHP Luis Severino2. LHP Jeffrey Springs3. RHP Aaron Civale4. LHP Jacob Lopez5. RHP Luis MoralesIL: None

With little change this offseason, the A’s will need young arms like Morales and Lopez to rise to the occasion for a robust rotation.

Atlanta Braves

1. LHP Chris Sale2. RHP Spencer Strider3. RHP Reynaldo López4. RHP Grant Holmes5. RHP Zack LittellIL: RHP Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP Hurston Waldrep, RHP AJ Smith-Shawver

The Braves face challenges with several key pitchers returning from injuries. They may look to add a rotation-caliber arm due to thin depth.

Baltimore Orioles

1. LHP Trevor Rogers2. RHP Kyle Bradish3. RHP Shane Baz4. RHP Chris Bassitt5. RHP Zach Eflin6. RHP Dean KremerIL: None

The Orioles have an impressive array of options, making their early-season strategy intriguing. They might even consider a six-man rotation given their depth.

Boston Red Sox

1. LHP Garrett Crochet2. RHP Sonny Gray3. LHP Ranger Suárez4. RHP Brayan Bello5. LHP Connelly EarlyIL: RHP Tanner Houck, RHP Kutter Crawford, LHP Patrick Sandoval

Competition for the No. 5 starter is heating up between prospects and veterans in the Red Sox camp.

Chicago Cubs

1. RHP Cade Horton2. LHP Matthew Boyd3. RHP Edward Cabrera4. LHP Shota Imanaga5. RHP Jameson TaillonIL: LHP Justin Steele

Cade Horton emerges as a key player to lead this rotation while they await the return of Steele.

Chicago White Sox

1. RHP Shane Smith2. LHP Anthony Kay3. RHP Davis Martin4. RHP Sean Burke5. RHP Erick FeddeIL: RHP Drew Thorpe, LHP Ky Bush

After major offseason investment, the White Sox aim to solidify their rotation with a mix of experience and youth.

Cincinnati Reds

1. RHP Hunter Greene2. LHP Andrew Abbott3. RHP Brady Singer4. LHP Nick Lodolo5. RHP Rhett LowderIL: LHP Brandon Williamson, RHP Julian Aguiar

A heavy rotation battle is brewing, particularly between Lowder and Burns, creating an exciting atmosphere in camp.

Cleveland Guardians

1. RHP Gavin Williams2. RHP Tanner Bibee3. RHP Slade Cecconi4. LHP Joey Cantillo5. RHP Logan AllenIL: None

Young pitchers will have opportunities to shine with a couple of spots in question for the Guardians.

Colorado Rockies

1. LHP Kyle Freeland2. RHP Michael Lorenzen3. LHP Jose Quintana4. RHP Chase Dollander5. RHP Tomoyuki SuganoIL: None

New acquisitions aim to vastly improve the Rockies’ last place ERA from the previous season.

Detroit Tigers

1. LHP Tarik Skubal2. LHP Framber Valdez3. RHP Justin Verlander4. RHP Jack Flaherty5. RHP Casey MizeIL: RHP Reese Olson, RHP Jackson Jobe

Major signings aim to bolster the rotation, but questions remain surrounding Framber Valdez's new role.

Houston Astros

1. RHP Hunter Brown2. RHP Tatsuya Imai (R)3. RHP Cristian Javier4. RHP Lance McCullers Jr.5. RHP Mike Burrows6. RHP Ryan Weiss (R)IL: RHP Ronel Blanco, RHP Hayden Wesneski

Ryan Weiss’s impressive KBO performance puts him in a solid position for the rotation.

Kansas City Royals

1. LHP Cole Ragans2. RHP Seth Lugo3. LHP Kris Bubic4. RHP Michael Wacha5. RHP Noah CameronIL: RHP Alec Marsh, RHP Stephen Kolek

Cameron's performance last season places him in a highly favorable position in the rotation.

Los Angeles Angels

1. LHP Yusei Kikuchi2. RHP José Soriano3. LHP Reid Detmers4. RHP Grayson Rodriguez5. RHP Alek ManoahIL: None

Alek Manoah's rebound potential makes him a key figure to watch in this rotation.

Los Angeles Dodgers

1. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto2. RHP Tyler Glasnow3. RHP Shohei Ohtani4. RHP Emmet Sheehan5. RHP Roki SasakiIL: LHP Blake Snell

The Dodgers must navigate Snell's injury as they look toward a highly talented rotation.

Miami Marlins

1. RHP Sandy Alcantara2. RHP Eury Pérez3. LHP Braxton Garrett4. RHP Max Meyer5. RHP Chris PaddackIL: None

With new depth on the roster, the Marlins are emerging as a strong contender.

Milwaukee Brewers

1. RHP Brandon Woodruff2. RHP Jacob Misiorowski3. RHP Quinn Priester4. RHP Chad Patrick5. RHP Logan Henderson (R)IL: None

A shakeup in their rotation following the Freddy Peralta trade makes for an intriguing battle.

Minneapolis Twins

1. RHP Joe Ryan2. RHP Bailey Ober3. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson4. RHP Zebby Matthews5. RHP Taj BradleyIL: RHP Pablo López, RHP David Festa

With injury to Lopez creating opportunities, the Twins have promising young arms to contribute.

New York Mets

1. RHP Freddy Peralta2. RHP Nolan McLean (R)3. LHP David Peterson4. RHP Clay Holmes5. LHP Sean ManaeaIL: RHP Tylor Megill

The Mets might create a rotation that adapts throughout the season to maximize performance.

New York Yankees

1. LHP Max Fried2. RHP Cam Schlittler3. RHP Luis Gil4. LHP Ryan Weathers5. RHP Will WarrenIL: RHP Gerrit Cole, LHP Carlos Rodón

The Yankees will need significant performances from Schlittler and Gil to fill the gaps left by Cole and Rodón.

Philadelphia Phillies

1. LHP Cristopher Sánchez2. LHP Jesús Luzardo3. RHP Lucas Giolito4. RHP Aaron Nola5. RHP Taijuan WalkerIL: RHP Zack Wheeler

As they find a solution for the No. 5 starter role, the Phillies might also look to bolster their pitching corps by acquiring Giolito.

Pittsburgh Pirates

1. RHP Paul Skenes2. RHP Mitch Keller3. RHP Braxton Ashcraft4. RHP Bubba Chandler (R)5. RHP José UrquidyIL: RHP Jared Jones

The competition for the No. 5 slot includes both established and emerging talents.

San Diego Padres

1. RHP Michael King2. RHP Nick Pivetta3. RHP Joe Musgrove4. RHP Randy Vásquez5. RHP Walker BuehlerIL: RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Griffin Canning

The battle for the backend of the rotation will be intense as veterans compete for valuable slots.

San Francisco Giants

1. RHP Logan Webb2. LHP Robbie Ray3. RHP Tyler Mahle4. RHP Adrian Houser5. RHP Landen RouppIL: None

With Roupp in contention for the No. 5 starter job, the Giants' rotations are tightly knit.

Seattle Mariners

1. RHP Bryan Woo2. RHP Logan Gilbert3. RHP Luis Castillo4. RHP George Kirby5. RHP Bryce MillerIL: RHP Logan Evans

With depth established, the Mariners can focus on developing pitching prospects.

St. Louis Cardinals

1. LHP Matthew Liberatore2. RHP Dustin May3. RHP Michael McGreevy4. RHP Andre Pallante5. RHP Richard FittsIL: None

A blend of new and returning talents might lead to experimentation with the roster.

TB Rays

1. RHP Drew Rasmussen2. LHP Shane McClanahan3. RHP Ryan Pepiot4. LHP Steven Matz5. RHP Nick MartinezIL: None

With a mix of veterans and youngsters, the Rays seem poised for a promising campaign.

Texas Rangers

1. RHP Jacob deGrom2. RHP Nathan Eovaldi3. LHP MacKenzie Gore4. RHP Jack Leiter5. LHP Jacob LatzIL: LHP Cody Bradford, LHP Jordan Montgomery

As injuries have altered their roadmap, the Rangers now face crucial decisions surrounding their rotation structure.

Toronto Blue Jays

1. RHP Kevin Gausman2. RHP Dylan Cease3. RHP Trey Yesavage (R)4. RHP José Berríos5. RHP Cody PonceIL: RHP Shane Bieber

Scherzer's addition raises questions about how he’ll fit as the Blue Jays finalize their rotation.

Washington Nationals

1. RHP Miles Mikolas2. RHP Cade Cavalli3. RHP Josiah Gray4. RHP Brad Lord5. LHP Foster Griffin (R)IL: RHP Trevor Williams, LHP DJ Herz

The Nationals now face uncertainty as their pitching landscape evolves following trades affecting their rotation.

Conclusion

As the 2026 MLB season approaches, teams are actively preparing their starting rotations amidst changes in personnel and recovery from injuries. Each squad has its own narrative as they look to build success on the mound, making the upcoming season one to watch as players sharpen their skills in spring training.