MLB Player News

Ramirez (elbow) received positive news after undergoing an ultrasound exam Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ramirez suffered an elbow injury in August, which ended his season prematurely after he went 11-10 with a 4.15 ERA. The Angels believe he'll be able to return without having surgery. Ramirez's elbow will be looked at again in another four weeks, with the hope that he can begin throwing at that time. It appears that he's on pace to make a return for spring training, barring any major setbacks.

Keuchel will take the mound for Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

As expected, manager A.J. Hinch will lean upon the southpaw to deliver during Houston's final home game of the 2017 season following his Game 1 start Tuesday. This places Keuchel on normal rest, and he will likely go up against Clayton Kershaw once again, although Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts has yet to announce his rotation for Game 4 or Game 5 at this point. If the series goes to a Game 6, Justin Verlander is set to follow Keuchel after his outstanding performance in Game 2 on Wednesday. In the scenario that this series goes the distance, Keuchel will be available out of the bullpen for the finale.

Morton will toe the rubber against the Dodgers for Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Morton will follow Lance McCullers in the Astros' rotation after conjuring up a brilliant performance against the Yankees in Saturday's Game 7. During that outing, Morton threw a five-inning shutout, allowing just three baserunners while striking out five to help the club reach the World Series. The Dodgers haven't confirmed their starter for Game 4 as of yet, but Morton will likely face off against 26-year-old Alex Wood.

McCullers will take the mound for Game 3 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

When the series shifts to Houston, McCullers will be the man on the hill for the Astros against Yu Darvish, following his remarkable performances against the Yankees in the ALCS. During his two appearances in that series, McCullers allowed just one earned run while striking out nine over 10 innings of work, most of that coming in a Game 4 start at Yankee Stadium. With Charlie Morton pegged as Saturday's starter, Brad Peacock will likely be the long man in case either Morton, or McCullers, begins to falter in their respective outings.

Verlander will start Wednesday in Game 2 of the Astros' World Series matchup with the Dodgers, Matt Kelly of MLB.com reports.

Fresh off being named the American League Championship Series MVP following the Astros' seven-game triumph over the Yankees, Verlander will have a short turnaround to try and keep a powerful Dodgers offense at bay. During the ALCS, Verlander followed up a complete-game, 13-strikeout effort in Game 2 with seven shutout innings in a Game 6 victory.

Keuchel will start in Game 1 of the Astros' World Series matchup with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Matt Kelly of MLB.com reports.

The 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner has been stellar throughout the playoffs and owns a 2.59 ERA over his five career postseason starts, so it was a no-brainer for Astros manager A.J. Hinch to turn to their ace for Game 1. Keuchel will oppose Clayton Kershaw in the contest, with Justin Verlander following the lefty in the rotation start Game 2.

Morton will take the mound for Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Morton was knocked around by the Yankees in Game 3 of the series, but manager A.J. Hinch believes it was a bout with bad luck and that the 33-year-old can pull through on regular rest. He will once again oppose CC Sabathia -- who bested him in Game 3 -- in the series-deciding Game 7 tilt.

Severino (arm) is the starter for Game 6 of the ALCS against the Astros on Friday.

Severino took a comebacker off the wrist during Saturday's Game 2 start and was removed after four innings, but should be near full health going into Friday's affair after partaking in some throwing earlier this week. The 23-year-old allowed one earned run off two hits and two walks during that Game 2 outing, and faces off against Justin Verlander once again with a trip to the World Series within reach for New York.

Verlander will start Game 6 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

This is why Houston acquired Verlander at the end of August. With the Astros down 3-2 in a best-of-seven set, Verlander will get the ball as he looks to keep the team's World Series hopes alive. He tossed a complete game gem in Game 2 of the ALCS against New York, striking out 13 batters and allowing just one run on five hits and a walk to earn the win.

Rodriguez is not expected to return to pitching for six months after undergoing surgery to reconstruct the patellofemoral ligament in his right knee, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

This is a tough break for Rodriguez, as the 24-year-old has missed extended time in three of the past four seasons due to knee issues. That will likely be the case again in 2018, as his estimated recovery timetable lines him up for a return sometime in May or June. A more concrete timetable should become available once he gets back into a throwing program. Rodriguez compiled a 4.19 ERA and 150:50 K:BB in 137.1 regular-season innings in 2017.