MLB Player News

Cobb (finger) is included on the Guardians' ALDS roster.

Cobb ended the regular season on the injured list due to a right finger blister, but his inclusion on the roster for the division series versus the Tigers suggests he's recovered. It's unclear if Cobb will be asked to start a game during the series or if he will serve as an option out of the bullpen. The right-hander posted a 2.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB over 16.1 innings across three starts during the regular season.

Lively is not included on the Guardians' roster for the American League Division Series versus Detroit.

Lively was a key part of Cleveland's rotation during the regular season, posting a 3.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 118:49 K:BB over 151 innings across 29 starts while going 13-10. He had a few poor starts near the end of the campaign and logged a 4.53 ERA along with a 1.39 WHIP over the final two months, which may have played a part in the decision to leave him off roster for the ALDS. The starting pitchers on Cleveland's ALDS roster include Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb (finger).

Boyd is expected to start for Cleveland in Game 2 of the ALDS versus Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

It will be a revenge game for Boyd, who pitched for the Tigers from 2015 to 2021 and again in 2023. The left-hander joined the Guardians for the 2024 campaign and began the season on the IL with an elbow injury before making his Cleveland debut Aug. 13. In the majors, Boyd registered a 2.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 46:13 K:BB over 39.2 innings across eight starts. Ben Lively, who made 29 starts for Cleveland during the campaign, was left off the team's ALDS roster.

Montero is part of the Tigers' roster for the American League Division Series versus Cleveland.

Montero wasn't included on Detroit's roster for the AL Wild Card Series against the Astros, but he's active for the ALDS and could potentially start in Game 3 or serve in bulk relief. The right-hander was inconsistent during the regular season and finished with a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 77:31 K:BB over 98.1 innings across 19 contests, 16 of which were starts. Casey Mize, who was on Detroit's wild-card roster, is inactive for the ALDS in order to make room for Montero.

Mize isn't included on the Tigers' ALDS roster.

Mize was a starter for Detroit for much of the campaign but moved to the bullpen for his final two appearances of the regular season. The right-hander struggled in that role, giving up three runs over 3.1 innings, which may have contributed to the Tigers' decision to make him inactive for the division series. Keider Montero was added to the team's ALDS roster after being inactive for the wild-card series versus Houston.

Skubal (hamstring) will start Monday in Game 2 of the ALDS versus the Guardians, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Skubal was lifted from his wild-card series start against the Astros after six scoreless innings and 88 pitches due to some hamstring cramping, but he was never in any danger of missing his first start of the ALDS. Tyler Holton will be the opener for the Tigers in Game 1 before Skubal takes the ball in Game 2 on five days rest.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that he expects Rodriguez (lat) to more or less by without restrictions at the beginning of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Rodriguez sustained a right lat strain in early August and was eventually shut down in late September after it became apparent he wasn't going to make it back for the regular or postseason. He should be able to have a relatively normal throwing program during the offseason, though health concerns could linger given how much time he missed in 2024.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Urquidy (elbow) is projected to return in late July next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June, so a return in a little over a year would be aggressive. Of course, any timetable at this juncture of recovery is a rough approximation. Urquidy is arbitration eligible for a final time this offseason, and it would seem as though the Astros plan to tender him a contract for 2025.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Javier (elbow) is projected to return in late July of next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's an ambitious timeline considering Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in June. Any projected timetable at this stage of rehab is approximate, but it does appear Brown expects Javier to have a good shot to contribute shortly after the All-Star break next season.

Verlander said Wednesday that he plans to continue his major-league career in 2025, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander -- who will turn 42 in February -- battled through a disappointing 2024 season, finishing with a 5.48 ERA and 74:27 K:BB over 90.1 innings covering 17 starts before being left off the Astros wild-card roster. He began the year on the injured list with a shoulder problem and also missed substantial time with a neck issue, an injury which he has indicated he might have come back too soon from and could have affected his performance. Given his age and the season he just had, Verlander will enter free agency with question marks, but he shouldn't have trouble finding a team willing to take a shot on a bounce-back showing in 2025.