MLB Player News

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.

Montero is not on the Tigers' roster for the American League Wild Card Series against the Astros, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Tigers' starting pitching plans beyond Tarik Skubal in Game 1 are cloudy, but Montero didn't make the cut despite a 3.79 ERA over 10 starts and two relief appearances from August on. He could potentially be added to the ALDS roster, if the Tigers advance.

Verlander is not on the Astros' roster for the American League Wild Card Series versus the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander's absence from the roster, while perhaps jarring, is not a surprise, as he wasn't going to make a start in the series and was unlikely to be carried as a reliever. Whether he's on the ALDS roster, should the Astros advance, is a bigger question. Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti will be available in relief for Houston in the wild-card series.

Suarez is not on the Orioles' American League Wild Card Series roster.

Suarez is a candidate to potentially get a start in the ALDS, should the Orioles advance, but the club will need just a max of three starters during the wild-card series. Matt Bowman was also left off the Orioles' roster, with Colin Selby and Cade Povich capturing the final two spots in the bullpen.

Valdez will start Game 1 of the wild-card series versus the Tigers on Tuesday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

How the Astros ultimately set up their full postseason rotation will be interesting, but there wasn't much question as to whom would take the ball in Game 1. After an inconsistent first half, Valdez held a 1.96 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 87:23 K:BB over 78 frames in 12 second-half starts. He'll be opposed by Tarik Skubal.

Skubal will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Astros on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Skubal will square off against fellow southpaw Framber Valdez. The left-hander is the likely American League Cy Young winner after going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 228:35 K:BB across 192 frames.

Ragans will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Orioles on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans -- who will be opposed by Corbin Burnes -- earns the Royals' first playoff game start since 2015 after collecting a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 223:67 K:BB over 186.1 innings covering 32 starts. The Royals will go with Seth Lugo in Game 2 and Michael Wacha in Game 3, if there is one.

The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday.

Rodriguez had started Saturday's game, so the Blue Jays used his roster spot for some bullpen protection in Sunday's finale. The right-hander will be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2025 after posting a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings in his first year with Toronto.