MLB Player News

Gray will start Game 3 of Minnesota's ALDS matchup versus the Astros on Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Gray's next postseason start will come after Bailey Ober and Pablo Lopez, who are slated to start the first two games of the series, respectively. Gray faced Houston twice in the regular season, giving up four total runs while striking out 16 batters and walking four through 13 innings.

Lopez will start Game 2 of the Twins' ALDS matchup against Houston on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Lopez will follow Game 1 starter Bailey Ober, and Sonny Gray will start Game 3 on Tuesday. Lopez had a shaky end to the regular season, giving up 11 runs over 15.1 innings. However, he was able to bounce back nicely in Game 1 of the Twins' AL Wild Card Series against Toronto, allowing just one run over 5.2 frames while striking out three batters and walking two.

Ober will start Saturday against the Astros in Game 1 of the ALDS, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Ober wasn't even on the Twins' AL Wild Card Series roster, but he'll be entrusted with the series opener in Houston. The big right-hander was sent to the minors following a midseason swoon, but he returned in September to post a 2.08 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21.2 innings of work. Ober will be opposed by Justin Verlander in Game 1.

Rodriguez will start Sunday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The rookie right-hander will be following Game 1 starter Kyle Bradish. Rodriguez got sent back to the minors following a slow start to the season but was dynamite after returning, posting a 2.58 ERA and 73:21 K:BB over his final 76.2 frames covering 13 starts. That includes a 2.17 ERA and 32:7 K:BB over 29 innings in September.

Bradish will start Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish seemed to be the clear choice for the Orioles following a breakout 2023 campaign which saw him post a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168:44 K:BB over 168.2 innings covering 30 starts. That includes a 2.34 ERA in the second half and a 16-inning scoreless streak to end his regular season. The Rangers have not yet announced a Game 1 starter, but it's expected to be Dane Dunning. Grayson Rodriguez will get the ball in Game 2 for the O's.

Ober is being considered to start Saturday's Game 1 of the ALDS in Houston, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Joe Ryan was going to start a potential AL Wild Card Series Game 3 for the Twins, so he's also a candidate for Game 1 of the ALDS and perhaps the favorite for the start. Kenta Maeda is also in the mix. Ober wasn't even on the AL Wild Card Series roster because the team needed only three starters, but he told Hayes that the Twins "have dropped hints he'll pitch at some point" during the ALDS. Ober posted a 2.08 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21.2 innings after rejoining the club Sept. 15 following a stint in the minors.

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.

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.