MLB Player News

Rodriguez will start Sunday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The rookie right-hander will be following Game 1 starter Kyle Bradish. Rodriguez got sent back to the minors following a slow start to the season but was dynamite after returning, posting a 2.58 ERA and 73:21 K:BB over his final 76.2 frames covering 13 starts. That includes a 2.17 ERA and 32:7 K:BB over 29 innings in September.

Bradish will start Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish seemed to be the clear choice for the Orioles following a breakout 2023 campaign which saw him post a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168:44 K:BB over 168.2 innings covering 30 starts. That includes a 2.34 ERA in the second half and a 16-inning scoreless streak to end his regular season. The Rangers have not yet announced a Game 1 starter, but it's expected to be Dane Dunning. Grayson Rodriguez will get the ball in Game 2 for the O's.

Ober is being considered to start Saturday's Game 1 of the ALDS in Houston, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Joe Ryan was going to start a potential AL Wild Card Series Game 3 for the Twins, so he's also a candidate for Game 1 of the ALDS and perhaps the favorite for the start. Kenta Maeda is also in the mix. Ober wasn't even on the AL Wild Card Series roster because the team needed only three starters, but he told Hayes that the Twins "have dropped hints he'll pitch at some point" during the ALDS. Ober posted a 2.08 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21.2 innings after rejoining the club Sept. 15 following a stint in the minors.

Dunning is likely to start for the Rangers in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday at Baltimore, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Dunning was not needed in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series, with Texas earning a quick two-game sweep of the Rays, so he would be on five full days of rest for Saturday's ALDS opener versus the Orioles. Assuming the 28-year-old right-hander is indeed the pick for Game 1, the Rangers would probably then roll with Jordan Montgomery as their starter in ALDS Game 2 on Sunday followed by Nathan Eovaldi in ALDS Game 3 on Tuesday.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Scherzer (shoulder) could advance to facing live hitters Friday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 12 due to a teres major muscle injury and remains doubtful to be included on the ALDS roster, but the veteran right-hander has made significant progress over the last week and might be somewhat close to full strength by the start of the ALCS -- should Texas move on past Baltimore. Scherzer responded well to a high-intensity bullpen session Wednesday, telling reporters that he "was able to step on it more," and he emerged from the workout with no lingering discomfort in his throwing shoulder.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Urquidy will likely work out of the bullpen during the ALDS against the Twins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy was tremendous in a spot start on the third-to-last day of the regular season, working six scoreless innings in a win over the Diamondbacks, but the Astros have already announced that Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez will start ALDS Games 1 and 2, with Cristian Javier looking probable for Game 3. J.P. France and Hunter Brown could also be in bullpen roles for Houston's best-of-five series versus Minnesota.

Garcia (elbow) went through pitchers' fielding practice with his Astros teammates during the club's pre-ALDS workout Thursday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Since he's less than five months removed from Tommy John surgery, Garcia wasn't allowed to participate in the throwing portion of PFPs. The right-hander is slated to be sidelined at least until around midseason of next year.

Valdez will start for the Astros on Sunday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Twins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Houston will go with Justin Verlander for the series opener before turning to Valdez in Game 2. Valdez was a little shaky in his final two starts of the regular season with 10 runs (nine earned) allowed over 9.1 innings, although he fanned 17 batters to finish with an even 200 strikeouts on the season.

Verlander will start for the Astros on Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Twins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros have co-aces with Verlander and Framber Valdez, and manager Dusty Baker will go with the former for the series opener while holding the latter back for Game 2. Verlander collected a 2.73 ERA over his final five starts of the regular season for Houston. He will be pitching on six days' rest Saturday.

Scherzer (shoulder) threw what he described as a "real" bullpen session Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer threw a light bullpen session a week ago but still felt sore the day of and the day after, which prompted him reverting to flat-ground work. However, he said of the intensity of Wednesday's session that he "was able to step on it more" and he came out of it "pain free." If he recovers well, he could ramp things up more in another bullpen session or perhaps even face hitters. Grant writes that while it "still remains unlikely" Scherzer could be ready for the ALDS, "things seem to change quickly with him." Of course, the Rangers must advance out of the AL Wild Card Series first or Scherzer's progression will be a moot point.