MLB Player News

Eflin will start Wednesday in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Royals, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The Orioles dropped the first game of the series against the Royals on Tuesday, losing 1-0. Eflin did not have his strongest outing in his final start of the regular season Wednesday, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks across 4.2 innings. With a week of rest under his belt, the 30-year old will look to rebound in order to force Game 3.

Manager A.J. Hinch said after Tuesday's wild-card game against Houston that Skubal is dealing with cramping, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Skubal was able to finish the sixth inning after drawing a visit from the Tigers' training staff, which is a good sign that his removal was precautionary, and he may still be available for the ALDS if Detroit advances. The 27-year-old southpaw earned the win Tuesday after throwing six shutout innings and striking out six batters in the process.

Brown will start Wednesday in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros fell to the Tigers, 3-1, in Game 1 on Tuesday and will send Brown to the bump for an elimination game. The 26-year-old allowed one run on three hits and a walk in his last start Sept. 23. The right-hander, who'll be on extended rest, will look to help preserve Houston's season.

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.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Cousins (pectoral) is on track to be ready for the ALDS, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cousins will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, which should be the last hurdle he needs to clear before being included on the ALDS roster. The right-handed reliever hasn't pitched in a game in nearly two weeks because of a right pectoral strain.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Royals on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 31-year-old finished the regular season on a tear -- he hit .382 with three doubles and two homers over the final 11 games -- but he'll begin the playoffs on the bench with southpaw Cole Ragans taking the mound for Kansas City. O'Hearn is a strong candidate to appear as a pinch hitter and should be back in the lineup for Game 2 against Royals righty Seth Lugo.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Tuesday that Garcia will undergo an MRI on his injured left knee, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Young expressed hope that Garcia will be able to avoid surgery, but more clarity on the situation will be available after the exam results are in. Garcia injured the knee during the final weekend of the regular season while attempting to beat out an infield single.

Slater is absent from the lineup Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Royals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Slater was in the lineup more often than not versus lefties down the stretch for the Orioles, but he will begin Tuesday's contest on the bench against southpaw Cole Ragans. Ragans does have reverse splits, with lefties producing a .723 OPS off him this season and righties just a .594 OPS. Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander will form Baltimore's outfield trio Tuesday.

McCann will start at catcher and bat ninth Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Royals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

With left-hander Cole Ragans toeing the slab for the Royals, the Orioles are going with McCann behind the plate and Adley Rutschman at designated hitter in Game 1. McCann closed out the regular season on a high note with a 1.087 OPS and four home runs in September.

Renfroe is not in the lineup for Tuesday's Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Orioles.

Renfroe started eight of the final 12 games of the regular season in right field (five against lefties, three versus righties). However, with Vinnie Pasquantino back in action and limited to designated-hitter duties, the Royals are going with Tommy Pham in right field for Game 1 versus righty Corbin Burnes.