MLB Player News

Taillon underwent ankle surgery Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Taillon sustained a right ankle tendon injury in early September and now faces a recovery timetable of approximately five months. If his rehab goes smoothly, the right-hander has a chance to be ready for Opening Day in 2022.

Valdez (0-1) allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two in two innings to take the loss against Atlanta in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday.

Valdez gave up a leadoff home run to begin Tuesday's contest, and he continued to struggle throughout his outing. He allowed three runs across the first two innings and gave up a two-run homer with no outs in the third inning prior to his removal. The 27-year-old had allowed just four runs (three earned) in 10.2 innings across his last two appearances, and he tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road Sunday in Game 5.

Garcia will start Game 3 of the World Series in Atlanta on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia will be pushed behind Jose Urquidy in the rotation. However, that shouldn't be taken as an indictment on Garcia, who looked great in his last start after struggling mightily in his first two postseason outings. The Astros can afford to pull their Game 2 starter early knowing they can rest their bullpen the next day, while the Game 3 starter will likely be asked to pitch deeper into the game.

Urquidy will start Game 2 of the World Series against Atlanta on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Urquidy was awful in his lone start thus far this postseason, giving up six runs (five earned) while recording just five outs in Game 3 of the ALCS against Boston. He'll be moved ahead of Luis Garcia nonetheless, though that's not necessarily a vote of confidence in Urquidy. The Game 2 starter can be pulled early more easily, as Thursday's off day means the Astros will get to rest their bullpen after the game, while the Game 3 starter may be asked to provide more length with the teams scheduled to play on each of the following two days.

McCullers (forearm) won't be available to pitch in the World Series, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

McCullers missed the ALCS after he sustained a right forearm injury in mid-October, and he hasn't yet resumed throwing. The righty underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage, and his injury isn't believed to be a long-term concern. However, he'll now shift his focus toward preparing for spring training in 2022.

Valdez will start Game 1 of the World Series against Atlanta on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez pitched eight excellent frames in Game 5 of the ALCS versus Boston, and he'll take the mound in the first game of the World Series for Houston. The left-hander has a 4.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB through three starts (15 innings) this postseason.

Garcia (1-1) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out seven in 5.2 scoreless innings to earn the win against the Red Sox in Game 6 of the ALCS on Friday.

Garcia dealt with right knee discomfort in last weekend's start, but he didn't appear to be hindered by the issue Friday. He tossed 76 pitches and held the Red Sox hitless through 5.2 innings before he gave up a triple to Enrique Hernandez in the top of the sixth. The 24-year-old has a 9.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 9.1 innings across three postseason starts this year, and he'll attempt to carry Friday's momentum into the World Series.

Eovaldi (1-2) allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out four in 4.1 innings to take the loss against the Astros on Friday in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Eovaldi was relatively effective at holding the Astros in check to begin Friday's matchup, with the only run he allowed coming via a double in the bottom of the first inning. However, the Red Sox only mustered two hits during the game, forcing the right-hander to settle for the loss. The 31-year-old made five appearances (four starts) during the postseason and recorded a 4.79 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 20.2 innings.

Chirinos fractured his elbow in late September while recovering from Tommy John surgery and wound up undergoing a second surgery, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos underwent Tommy John surgery back in August of 2020. The timing meant he was always likely to miss all of 2021, though he would have been ready for the start of next year's spring training if not for the setback. While the fracture didn't damage his surgically-repaired ligament, he now isn't expected to begin throwing again until spring training and won't be ready to begin rehab action until late April at the earliest.

Manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that McCullers (forearm) hasn't yet resumed throwing, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

McCullers has been sidelined since Game 4 of the ALDS due to a forearm strain, although the team's medical staff has determined that the right-hander isn't dealing with any structural damage. The 28-year-old appears unlikely to pitch in the World Series if the Astros advance, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him available for spring training in 2022.