Bubba Chandler Earns Opening Day Roster Spot with Pirates

Highly touted pitching prospect to make MLB debut in first week of season

Mar. 23, 2026 at 2:59am

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially announced that top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler will be on their major league roster to start the 2026 season. Chandler is slated to make his MLB debut on Tuesday, March 31 against the Cincinnati Reds, as the fifth starter in the Pirates' opening week rotation.

Why it matters

Chandler was once considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, but has seen his shine diminished somewhat by the rise of other young arms in the Pirates' system. His inclusion on the Opening Day roster and placement in the starting rotation is a significant milestone for the 23-year-old as he looks to live up to his immense potential.

The details

The Pirates have laid out their starting rotation for the first week of the season, with Chandler slotted in as the fifth starter behind Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Carmen Mlodzinski, and Braxton Ashcraft. This will give Chandler a prime opportunity to make an immediate impact and solidify his spot in the team's long-term plans.

  • Chandler will make his MLB debut on Tuesday, March 31 against the Cincinnati Reds.
  • The Pirates' opening week rotation is as follows: Thursday, March 26 (Mets) - Paul Skenes; Saturday, March 28 (Mets) - Mitch Keller; Sunday, March 29 (Mets) - Carmen Mlodzinski; Monday, March 30 (Reds) - Braxton Ashcraft; Tuesday, March 31 (Reds) - Bubba Chandler.

The players

Bubba Chandler

A highly touted pitching prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization who is set to make his MLB debut in the team's starting rotation.

Konnor Griffin

Another top pitching prospect in the Pirates' system who has emerged and overshadowed Chandler to some degree.

Don Kelly

The Pirates' manager who announced the team's opening week pitching rotation.

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What they’re saying

“After making his MLB debut, it just slightly lowers everything that comes out of his hype, but that doesn't mean he wasn't a hyped-up pitching prospect.”

— Austin Bechtold, Sports Writer

What’s next

The judge in Chandler's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to remain on the active roster for the start of the season.

The takeaway

Chandler's inclusion on the Pirates' Opening Day roster is a significant milestone for the young pitcher, who will look to prove he can live up to the hype and help the team build on a potentially exciting 2026 season.