MLB Player News

Verlander said Wednesday that he plans to continue his major-league career in 2025, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander -- who will turn 42 in February -- battled through a disappointing 2024 season, finishing with a 5.48 ERA and 74:27 K:BB over 90.1 innings covering 17 starts before being left off the Astros wild-card roster. He began the year on the injured list with a shoulder problem and also missed substantial time with a neck issue, an injury which he has indicated he might have come back too soon from and could have affected his performance. Given his age and the season he just had, Verlander will enter free agency with question marks, but he shouldn't have trouble finding a team willing to take a shot on a bounce-back showing in 2025.

Musgrove will undergo and MRI on his injured right elbow Thursday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove had to depart Wednesday's start versus Atlanta due to what the Padres are referring to now simply as right elbow tightness. Initial testing on his UCL came back clean, but more clarity will be available following Thursday's exam. For what it's worth, Musgrove said the discomfort he felt Wednesday was "very different" from the pain he experienced due to a bone spur in his elbow which sent him to the injured list twice earlier this season. The pitcher also revealed that he'd been battling some soreness in the elbow prior to the outing. If Musgrove needs to be replaced on the NLDS roster, Martin Perez is a candidate to fill that slot.

Ragans (calf) will start Monday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans exited his wild-card series start versus the Orioles after six shutout innings due to left calf cramps, but his readiness for the start of the ALDS doesn't seem to be in question. The left-handed Ragans -- who will be pitching on five days' rest -- will be preceded by Michael Wacha in Game 1.

Wacha will start Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wacha had been lined up for Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, but with the Royals completing a two-game sweep of the Orioles, the righty will be held back for the ALDS opener. He'll be opposed by Gerrit Cole.

Quintana will start Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series in Milwaukee on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

During his last regular-season start against the Brewers on Saturday, Quintana allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out nine batters in just 4.1 innings, but he ended up taking the loss. The veteran lefty will now look to get some revenge on the Crew in what will be the sixth postseason appearance of his 13-year career.

Musgrove left his start Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series versus Atlanta due to right elbow tightness.

Musgrove's elbow began to affect his velocity in the fourth inning of Wednesday's contest, forcing him out after just 3.2 frames of one-run ball. There's no telling if he'll be available for the NLDS if San Diego advances past Atlanta. It's worth noting that the 31-year-old has already landed on the IL twice this season due to elbow-related injuries.

Musgrove was removed from Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against Atlanta on Wednesday due to an apparent injury, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Musgrove was visited on the mound by a trainer after displaying decreased velocity in the fourth inning. It's unclear what exactly the right-hander is dealing with, but the Padres will take a closer look at him and should offer an update on his status in the near future. Prior to his removal, he allowed one earned run on one hit while striking out four batters over 3.2 innings.

Lorenzen (lower body) struck out three and allowed an unearned run on one hit in two innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Atlanta.

Lorenzen made his final start of the regular season last Wednesday, when he tossed two-plus innings against the Nationals before leaving early due to lower-body fatigue. He made his return to action out of the bullpen a few days later, with the clean appearance assuaging any concerns about his health. He was included on the Royals' 26-man wild-card roster but went unused during the club's two-game sweep of the Orioles.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that the club plans to start Flaherty on Saturday in Game 1 of the NLDS, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Flaherty will be tasked with Game 1 before the Dodgers turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2. The 28-year-old posted a 3.58 ERA and 61:19 K:BB across 55.1 innings covering 10 starts for the Dodgers after being acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesdaythat Blackburn (back) won't pitch at any point during the postseason, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Blackburn had hoped to be available for the Mets at some point during the playoffs, but he is still having issues after first experiencing a spinal fluid leak in mid-September. The righty posted a 5.18 ERA over five starts for the Mets after being acquired from the Athletics at the trade deadline. He'll be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this winter.