Here are the rosters as of Jan 13th for both leagues. After a player has played three full professional seasons, he must protected on the Major League Team's 40-man roster or he becomes available to be selected in the Rule 5 draft. If after the three years he is placed on the Major League Roster, the club then has options on that player.
A player on the 40-man roster but not on the 25-man Major League Roster is on what is called optional assignment. A player on optional assignment has three option years, and can be sent up and down as many times as the club sees fit during those three seasons.
A player who has been in the Major Leagues for parts of three different seasons is out of options, and must clear waivers in order to be sent down beginning with his fourth big league season. If he has not played in a game, he is not in the union, hence he will not be in the game. One exception is Matsui who will be in WSB 2K3.
American League
National League
A player on the 40-man roster but not on the 25-man Major League Roster is on what is called optional assignment. A player on optional assignment has three option years, and can be sent up and down as many times as the club sees fit during those three seasons.
A player who has been in the Major Leagues for parts of three different seasons is out of options, and must clear waivers in order to be sent down beginning with his fourth big league season. If he has not played in a game, he is not in the union, hence he will not be in the game. One exception is Matsui who will be in WSB 2K3.
American League
National League