MLB Player News

Eovaldi will start Monday against Houston in Game 2 of the ALCS, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Eovaldi has been brilliant to start the postseason, allowing just two runs while striking out 15 batters and walking none across 13.2 innings. However, Eovaldi was lit up for four runs in just 1.1 frames during his most recent matchup with Houston in early September.

Valdez will start Monday against Texas in Game 2 of the ALCS, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez had a tough time getting through his first appearance of the postseason, surrendering five runs over 4.1 innings against Minnesota in Game 2 of the ALDS. Valdez has been a reliable member of Houston's rotation with a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in the regular season, but momentum will not be on his side against the Rangers after three consecutive shaky outings.

Pfaadt is lined up to start Game 3 of the NLCS on Thursday against the Phillies, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Zac Gallen has been confirmed for Game 1 on Monday in Philadelphia and Merrill Kelly will follow him in Game 2 on Tuesday, then the Diamondbacks will likely turn to Pfaadt for Game 3 as the best-of-seven series shifts to Chase Field in Arizona. The 24-year-old rookie right-hander struggled in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series at Milwaukee before bouncing back to deliver 4.1 scoreless innings in Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Dodgers.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Henry (elbow) could be a bullpen option in the NLCS against the Phillies, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Henry has been on the shelf since late July due to inflammation in his left elbow, but he resumed throwing off a mound toward the end of the regular season and faced live hitters in Friday's intrasquad game at Chase Field. Prior to the lengthy IL stint, the 26-year-old southpaw held a 4.15 ERA and 64:35 K:BB in 89 innings (16 starts, one relief appearance) with Arizona.

Montgomery will start Sunday against the Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Montgomery began the postseason with a seven-inning shutout performance against Tampa Bay in the first game of the AL Wild Card Series, but he followed that up by allowing five runs (four earned) in four innings in Game 2 of the ALDS versus the Orioles. Despite his poor performance against Baltimore, Montgomery still holds a solid 2.55 ERA, albeit with a 1.53 WHIP, in his postseason career.

Kelly will start Game 2 of the NLCS on Tuesday against Philadelphia, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly was dominant in his postseason debut against the Dodgers, throwing 6.1 scoreless frames while striking out five batters and walking two. He'll follow Game 1 starter Zac Gallen in the D-backs' rotation and look to contain a surging Phillies offense that posted a .938 OPS in the NLDS.

Gallen will start Monday against the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLCS, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Gallen has allowed four runs across 11.1 innings over his two postseason starts, earning himself the honor of starting Game 1 of Arizona's first NLCS appearance in 16 years. The right-hander surrendered two runs over 5.2 innings while striking out three batters and walking two during his lone 2023 regular-season matchup with the Phillies in May.

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.

Woodruff underwent surgery Friday to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Three days after general manager Matt Arnold expressed optimism regarding the right-hander's status for 2024, the Brewers now expect him to miss most if not all of next season. Woodruff missed four months of the 2023 season due to shoulder issues, and his capsular injury also kept him out of the NL Wild Card Series against the Diamondbacks. He will be entering his final year of team control in 2024, though his resume could still encourage Milwaukee to sign him to a long-term contract and keep him around for his return to the mound. Woodruff will turn 31 years old before the start of the 2024 campaign.

Wright underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder.

Wright will miss the entire 2024 campaign as he recovers from the procedure. He strained his shoulder multiple times this season and posted an ugly 6.97 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through 31 innings when he was healthy -- a sharp decline from his 3.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 2022.