MLB Player News

Ragans was pulled from Tuesday's wild-card game against Baltimore due to left calf cramps.

Prior to suffering his injury, Ragans had cruised through six shutout innings on 80 pitches while striking out eight batters. The severity of his injury is unknown, though the Royals won't need to make a decision on his availability until the ALDS, provided the team advances past the O's.

Montero is not on the Tigers' roster for the American League Wild Card Series against the Astros, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Tigers' starting pitching plans beyond Tarik Skubal in Game 1 are cloudy, but Montero didn't make the cut despite a 3.79 ERA over 10 starts and two relief appearances from August on. He could potentially be added to the ALDS roster, if the Tigers advance.

Verlander is not on the Astros' roster for the American League Wild Card Series versus the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander's absence from the roster, while perhaps jarring, is not a surprise, as he wasn't going to make a start in the series and was unlikely to be carried as a reliever. Whether he's on the ALDS roster, should the Astros advance, is a bigger question. Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti will be available in relief for Houston in the wild-card series.

Suarez is not on the Orioles' American League Wild Card Series roster.

Suarez is a candidate to potentially get a start in the ALDS, should the Orioles advance, but the club will need just a max of three starters during the wild-card series. Matt Bowman was also left off the Orioles' roster, with Colin Selby and Cade Povich capturing the final two spots in the bullpen.

Valdez will start Game 1 of the wild-card series versus the Tigers on Tuesday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

How the Astros ultimately set up their full postseason rotation will be interesting, but there wasn't much question as to whom would take the ball in Game 1. After an inconsistent first half, Valdez held a 1.96 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 87:23 K:BB over 78 frames in 12 second-half starts. He'll be opposed by Tarik Skubal.

Skubal will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Astros on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Skubal will square off against fellow southpaw Framber Valdez. The left-hander is the likely American League Cy Young winner after going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 228:35 K:BB across 192 frames.

Ragans will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Orioles on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans -- who will be opposed by Corbin Burnes -- earns the Royals' first playoff game start since 2015 after collecting a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 223:67 K:BB over 186.1 innings covering 32 starts. The Royals will go with Seth Lugo in Game 2 and Michael Wacha in Game 3, if there is one.

The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday.

Rodriguez had started Saturday's game, so the Blue Jays used his roster spot for some bullpen protection in Sunday's finale. The right-hander will be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2025 after posting a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings in his first year with Toronto.

Kochanowicz (2-6) yielded three runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against Texas.

Kochanowicz gave up just one run through six frames before the Rangers tallied a pair in the seventh inning. He closed his season with three straight seven-inning performances, earning a quality start in each. Kochanowicz posted a solid 3.99 ERA through 65.1 innings as a rookie, but his 25:10 K:BB didn't provide much fantasy upside. He posted a 2.77 ERA over his last nine starts of the year.

Eovaldi (12-8) allowed four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over the Angels.

Eovaldi escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but didn't face much danger otherwise. He had been tagged for 14 runs over 16.2 innings in his previous three outings before closing out his 2024 season with a terrific outing Sunday. It was the fourth time this season he threw at least seven innings without allowing a run. Eovaldi finishes the season with a 3.80 ERA and a 166:42 K:BB through 170.2 innings. He's finished each of the last five seasons with an ERA between 3.63 and 3.87.