MLB Player News

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.

Hill plans to continue his playing career in 2024, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Hill made the revelation on Bradford's "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast. The 43-year-old left-hander didn't have a great 2023 campaign, posting a 5.41 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 129:58 K:BB over 146.1 innings for the Pirates and Padres. Hill will turn 44 shortly after Opening Day next year but should be able to find a club willing to give him a one-year contract.

Elder is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad game Thursday in Atlanta, lining him up for a potential NLDS Game 3 start next Wednesday at Philadelphia, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Spencer Strider and Max Fried (finger) are pretty much locked into Games 1 and 2 at Truist Park in Atlanta, and the NL East champs will probably then turn to Elder to handle Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park. The young right-hander struggled over his final three regular-season starts, yielding 13 earned runs in 12.1 innings, but he delivered a solid 3.81 ERA across 174.2 total frames for the year and earned his first All-Star nod.

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.

Watkins elected free agency Wednesday.

Watkins made one appearance for the Athletics in 2023 but spent the bulk of the year in the minors with three different organizations. Because of his service time, he had the ability to elect free agency and look for a new landing spot.

The Dodgers announced Kershaw as their starter for Game 1 of Los Angeles' NL Divisional Series matchup against the Diamondbacks.

As expected, Kershaw will kick off the Dodgers' postseason run Saturday after recording a 2.41 ERA and 1.06 WHIP through 131.2 innings in the regular season. The 35-year-old ace will face a Diamondbacks offense that put up a .730 OPS during the regular season -- the lowest mark out of the teams remaining in the postseason.