MLB Player News

Fried (finger) remains on track to start Game 2 of the NLDS on Monday after throwing five innings in a simulated game Tuesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Fried wore a protective bandage across the blister on his left index finger, which he won't be able to wear in an actual game, but he avoided any setbacks in the 76-pitch outing against his Atlanta teammates and should get the call in NLDS Game 2 next week after Spencer Strider handles Game 1. When healthy this season, Fried delivered a sharp 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 80:18 K:BB in 77.2 innings (14 starts) for the National League East champions.

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.

Ryan will start Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series versus the Blue Jays on Thursday, if necessary, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Ryan had been lined up for the start, so this doesn't come as a surprise. The Twins hope they can save him for the ALDS, of course, which they would be able to do if they are able to eliminate Toronto with a Game 2 victory. Ryan boasted a 197:34 K:BB over 161.2 innings during the regular season, but his 4.51 ERA points to the inconsistency he dealt with.

Luzardo allowed three runs on eight hits across four innings, taking the loss in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat to the Phillies in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. He struck out five.

Luzardo was knocked around by the Phillies lineup early and often, giving up a hit to every batter besides Bryce Harper at some point in his four innings of work. The pressure of the Phillies' home crowd may have gotten to him some considering he uncorked a pair of wild pitches, one which set up an RBI single by Christian Pache in the fifth inning. After Tuesday's outing, Luzardo is up to a 6.75 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with 16 strikeouts across 14.2 career postseason innings.

Wheeler allowed one run on five hits across 6.2 innings to secure the win in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Marlins in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. He struck out eight.

Wheeler was dominant in this outing, as he made quick work of the Marlins lineup, racking up 18 whiffs in the process. His sole mistake was allowing an RBI single to Bryan De La Cruz in the seventh inning that was set up by a defensive miscue when Wheeler forgot to cover first base. The right-hander thrives under pressure, as he now has a mint 2.55 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with 41 strikeouts across 42.1 career postseason innings.

Peralta will start Game 2 of the Brewers' NL Wild Card Series matchup against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

With Brandon Woodruff nursing a shoulder injury and out indefinitely, Peralta will be bumped up to start Wednesday. Peralta put up a 3.38 ERA and 0.83 WHIP through 26.2 innings across his final five starts of the regular season, though he surrendered four runs in just three frames during his most recent outing.

Lopez earned the win in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, allowing one run on five hits and two walks across 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Lopez had a solid outing in his second career postseason start, mainly relying upon the defense behind him to take care of a bevy of outs on contact. Things began to break down a bit for the right-hander in the sixth inning after he allowed an RBI single to Kevin Kiermaier, but he was pulled with the lead intact. He had a 3.68 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 38 strikeouts across 29.1 innings in September heading into the contest.

Gausman took the loss after giving up three runs on three hits and three walks across five innings in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat against the Twins in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. He struck out five.

Gausman entered the postseason with a 2.43 ERA across 29.2 innings in September, but he was unable to keep it rolling in Tuesday's loss. His weak spot proved to be Royce Lewis, to whom Gausman conceded two home runs in the first and third innings. The team ultimately decided to hand things over to the bullpen after only 73 pitches, which may leave the right-hander available if needed to cover a few outs later in the series. Gausman now has a 4.91 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 25.2 career postseason innings with 30 strikeouts.

Glasnow took the loss in Tuesday's 4-0 defeat against the Rangers in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and five walks across five innings. He struck out eight.

Glasnow had his ups and downs in his 10th career postseason start, and he ultimately struggled to keep runs off the board. The blame cannot be placed solely on the right-hander, however, as the team also committed three errors behind him. While the 16 whiffs Glasnow compiled in the contest speak to some level of dominance against the Rangers lineup, he also struggled with his command, most notably throwing a wild pitch in the fifth inning that allowed Corey Seager to score. He now has a 5.72 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with 61 strikeouts across 45.2 postseason innings in his career.

Montgomery allowed six hits across seven scoreless innings to pick up the win in Tuesday's 4-0 victory over the Rays in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. He struck out five.

Coming off a season where he mustered a career-best 3.20 ERA across 188.2 innings, Montgomery carried that momentum with him into the postseason. The southpaw looked sharp in the contest, picking apart the Rays lineup to earn the first postseason win of his career. Tuesday's outing marked the fifth quality start in a row for Montgomery dating back to the regular season, and the fourth time in that sample in which he logged seven innings.