MLB Player News

Scherzer (shoulder) went through pitchers' fielding practice at Globe Life Field on Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The veteran right-hander completed a 60-pitch simulated game Wednesday, and this is a good sign he's feeling OK afterward. The Rangers have not yet announced their ALCS roster, but it would be a surprise at this point if Scherzer isn't on it. He last pitched Sept. 12 due to a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder and was initially given an 8-12 week timeline to return, so if he does indeed make it back for the ALCS it would be a rapid recovery.

Kaprielian (shoulder) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Kaprielian had been on the 60-day injured list following surgery in August to repair the posterior labrum in his right shoulder. It's not clear how long his rehab is expected to take, but the right-hander will have to prove his health and earn his way back onto the 40-man roster.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said he was "real encouraged" by Scherzer's (shoulder) simulated game Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer nearly made the roster for the ALDS and appears on track to return to the Rangers' starting rotation for their upcoming ALCS matchup against the Astros, which begins Sunday in Houston. He's been sidelined since Sept. 12 because of a teres major muscle injury, but the veteran right-hander threw around 40 pitches to live hitters last Friday and extended himself to about 60 pitches during Wednesday's workout at Globe Life Field. Jon Gray (forearm) could also be activated for the American League Championship Series.

Verlander will start Game 1 of the ALCS against the Rangers on Sunday in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Verlander would have gotten the call for a potential ALDS Game 5 start against the Twins, but the Astros took care of business with a clinching Game 4 victory Wednesday at Target Field. The veteran right-hander was his usual trusty October self in Game 1 of that best-of-five series, tallying six strikeouts over six scoreless innings in a 6-4 defeat of Minnesota. He'll be on seven full days of rest leading into the opener of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series versus Texas.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Means' left elbow checked out fine and the pitcher will participate fully in spring training, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Means was excluded from the team's ALDS roster because of elbow soreness, which initially raised a red flag considering this was his first year back from Tommy John surgery. However, the left-hander was expected to be ready for the ALCS had the Orioles advanced, so there never appeared to be much internal concern about the setback. Means posted a 2.66 ERA and 10:4 K:BB over 23.2 innings in 2023 after rejoining Baltimore's rotation late in the season.

Scherzer (shoulder) will throw another simulated game Wednesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer pitched three innings (two against hitters) of a sim game ahead of the ALDS, and Wednesday's session will be a test to see how deep into a game he can go. The 39-year-old is recovering from a right teres major strain and may still be held off the Rangers' roster for the ALCS, but Scherzer remains well ahead of schedule in his rehab process.

Urquidy will start Wednesday against the Twins in Game 4 of the ALDS, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Urquidy seemed to be slated for a bullpen role ahead of Houston's ALDS matchup with Minnesota, but he'll instead get the nod to start as the Astros looks for their seventh consecutive ALCS berth. The 28-year-old righty threw nine straight shutout innings over his final two regular-season outings and has yet to appear in the postseason.

Gibson will be available out of the bullpen in Game 3 of the ALDS on Tuesday versus the Rangers, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Gibson would seemingly be an option to start a potential Game 4, but the Orioles are facing elimination from the best-of-five series and will take an all-hands-on-deck approach into Game 3. The veteran right-hander went 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 157:55 K:BB over 192 innings (33 starts) during the regular season. He has yet to pitch in the 2023 postseason.

Ryan will get the start in Game 4 of the ALDS on Wednesday versus the Astros, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ryan has not yet pitched in the 2023 postseason, though he was lined up to start a potential Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series before the Twins finished off a two-game sweep of the Blue Jays. The 27-year-old right-hander registered an underwhelming 4.51 ERA in 29 regular-season starts, but he showed improved swing-and-miss stuff and excellent command while tallying 197 strikeouts with only 34 walks across 161.2 innings.

Gray (forearm) is on track to rejoin the rotation if the Rangers advance to the ALCS, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gray landed on the 15-day injured list just before the end of the regular season due to tightness in his lower right forearm, but he has apparently been trending well with his side work. Max Scherzer (shoulder) could also potentially become an option for Texas in the best-of-seven ALCS, rounding out a four-starter mix that already includes Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi. If at least Gray is able to return, Andrew Heaney and Dane Dunning would most likely operate in bulk relief.