MLB Player News

Scherzer (shoulder) is included on the Rangers' roster for the American League Championship Series against the Astros, which begins Sunday in Houston, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer has been sidelined for the past month by a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder, but he's made a quick recovery after initially being given an 8-to-12-week return timeline. The 39-year-old tossed a 60-pitch simulated game Wednesday and could have some workload limitations when he takes the mound. According to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, manager Bruce Bochy said there's a "good chance" Scherzer starts Game 3 on Wednesday, but the right-hander could also be used Sunday if the right situation presents itself.

Eovaldi will start Monday against Houston in Game 2 of the ALCS, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Eovaldi has been brilliant to start the postseason, allowing just two runs while striking out 15 batters and walking none across 13.2 innings. However, Eovaldi was lit up for four runs in just 1.1 frames during his most recent matchup with Houston in early September.

Valdez will start Monday against Texas in Game 2 of the ALCS, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez had a tough time getting through his first appearance of the postseason, surrendering five runs over 4.1 innings against Minnesota in Game 2 of the ALDS. Valdez has been a reliable member of Houston's rotation with a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in the regular season, but momentum will not be on his side against the Rangers after three consecutive shaky outings.

Montgomery will start Sunday against the Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Montgomery began the postseason with a seven-inning shutout performance against Tampa Bay in the first game of the AL Wild Card Series, but he followed that up by allowing five runs (four earned) in four innings in Game 2 of the ALDS versus the Orioles. Despite his poor performance against Baltimore, Montgomery still holds a solid 2.55 ERA, albeit with a 1.53 WHIP, in his postseason career.

Scherzer (shoulder) went through pitchers' fielding practice at Globe Life Field on Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The veteran right-hander completed a 60-pitch simulated game Wednesday, and this is a good sign he's feeling OK afterward. The Rangers have not yet announced their ALCS roster, but it would be a surprise at this point if Scherzer isn't on it. He last pitched Sept. 12 due to a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder and was initially given an 8-12 week timeline to return, so if he does indeed make it back for the ALCS it would be a rapid recovery.

Kaprielian (shoulder) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Kaprielian had been on the 60-day injured list following surgery in August to repair the posterior labrum in his right shoulder. It's not clear how long his rehab is expected to take, but the right-hander will have to prove his health and earn his way back onto the 40-man roster.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said he was "real encouraged" by Scherzer's (shoulder) simulated game Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer nearly made the roster for the ALDS and appears on track to return to the Rangers' starting rotation for their upcoming ALCS matchup against the Astros, which begins Sunday in Houston. He's been sidelined since Sept. 12 because of a teres major muscle injury, but the veteran right-hander threw around 40 pitches to live hitters last Friday and extended himself to about 60 pitches during Wednesday's workout at Globe Life Field. Jon Gray (forearm) could also be activated for the American League Championship Series.

Verlander will start Game 1 of the ALCS against the Rangers on Sunday in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Verlander would have gotten the call for a potential ALDS Game 5 start against the Twins, but the Astros took care of business with a clinching Game 4 victory Wednesday at Target Field. The veteran right-hander was his usual trusty October self in Game 1 of that best-of-five series, tallying six strikeouts over six scoreless innings in a 6-4 defeat of Minnesota. He'll be on seven full days of rest leading into the opener of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series versus Texas.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Means' left elbow checked out fine and the pitcher will participate fully in spring training, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Means was excluded from the team's ALDS roster because of elbow soreness, which initially raised a red flag considering this was his first year back from Tommy John surgery. However, the left-hander was expected to be ready for the ALCS had the Orioles advanced, so there never appeared to be much internal concern about the setback. Means posted a 2.66 ERA and 10:4 K:BB over 23.2 innings in 2023 after rejoining Baltimore's rotation late in the season.

Scherzer (shoulder) will throw another simulated game Wednesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer pitched three innings (two against hitters) of a sim game ahead of the ALDS, and Wednesday's session will be a test to see how deep into a game he can go. The 39-year-old is recovering from a right teres major strain and may still be held off the Rangers' roster for the ALCS, but Scherzer remains well ahead of schedule in his rehab process.