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Travs unveil 2026 Opening Night roster: Anderson and Sloan headline 31-man group
Arkansas named a 31-player Opening Night roster—16 pitchers and 15 position players—as the Travelers kick off the 2026 Double-A campaign under new manager Rich Thompson [1]. Left-hander Kade Anderson and right-hander Ryan Sloan headline the staff, with bats like Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo adding thump to a lineup packed with upside [1][2].The group blends impact talent with familiar faces, including returners such as Michael Morales, Jared Sundstrom, Charlie Beilenson, Tyler Cleveland and Caleb Cali, giving Thompson a core that already knows the Texas League grind [1][3]. The club opens its home slate April 7 at Dickey–Stephens Park in North Little Rock, a night that also marks the franchise’s 125th season celebration [1][4].The Travs continue as the Seattle Mariners’ Double-A affiliate in the Texas League, setting the stage for a summer of development and contention on the banks of the Arkansas River [1][3][4].