MLB Player News

Elder will start Wednesday in Game 3 of the NLDS in Philadelphia, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The decision came down to Elder and AJ Smith-Shawver and Atlanta has opted for the more experienced hurler. Elder posted a 3.81 ERA over 31 starts this season, but he held a 5.11 ERA in the second half and allowed 13 runs over 12.1 innings covering his last three regular season outings. There will be a short leash for Elder in this one, with Smith-Shawver looming as an alternative if a quick hook is required.

Scherzer (shoulder) will throw another simulated game Wednesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer pitched three innings (two against hitters) of a sim game ahead of the ALDS, and Wednesday's session will be a test to see how deep into a game he can go. The 39-year-old is recovering from a right teres major strain and may still be held off the Rangers' roster for the ALCS, but Scherzer remains well ahead of schedule in his rehab process.

Urquidy will start Wednesday against the Twins in Game 4 of the ALDS, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Urquidy seemed to be slated for a bullpen role ahead of Houston's ALDS matchup with Minnesota, but he'll instead get the nod to start as the Astros looks for their seventh consecutive ALCS berth. The 28-year-old righty threw nine straight shutout innings over his final two regular-season outings and has yet to appear in the postseason.

Gibson will be available out of the bullpen in Game 3 of the ALDS on Tuesday versus the Rangers, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Gibson would seemingly be an option to start a potential Game 4, but the Orioles are facing elimination from the best-of-five series and will take an all-hands-on-deck approach into Game 3. The veteran right-hander went 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 157:55 K:BB over 192 innings (33 starts) during the regular season. He has yet to pitch in the 2023 postseason.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Tuesday that the team is "optimistic" regarding the availability of Woodruff (shoulder) for next season, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Woodruff suffered a right shoulder capsular injury during his final start of the regular season, keeping him from making an appearance during the Brewers' NL Wild Card Series loss to the Diamondbacks. He will receive a second opinion on the shoulder this week, but the team seems confident after the initial diagnosis that it won't keep the right-hander from being ready for the start of the 2024 campaign. Woodruff was limited to 11 starts this season due to shoulder issues but was excellent when healthy, holding a 2.28 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 74:15 K:BB over 67 innings. He will be eligible for arbitration for a final time this winter before entering his walk year.

Misiorowski (arm) has resumed a throwing program, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Misiorowski didn't make an appearance after Aug. 15 due to right arm fatigue, but it would appear he's moved past that. The 21-year-old was one of the biggest pitching prospect breakouts in all of the minors in 2023, collecting a 3.41 ERA and 110:42 K:BB over 71.1 innings between Low-A Carolina, High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi. It's possible he could push to debut at some point in 2024 if he stays healthy and continues to progress.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Tuesday that Ashby's (shoulder) velocity has been trending in the right direction during recent throwing sessions, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Ashby underwent left shoulder surgery in April and struggled to regain his pre-op velocity initially. However, it sounds like it has ticked back up as he further distances himself from the operation. Ashby wound up being limited to just seven rehab innings in 2023, but the hope is that he will be ready to go for spring training.

Ryan will get the start in Game 4 of the ALDS on Wednesday versus the Astros, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ryan has not yet pitched in the 2023 postseason, though he was lined up to start a potential Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series before the Twins finished off a two-game sweep of the Blue Jays. The 27-year-old right-hander registered an underwhelming 4.51 ERA in 29 regular-season starts, but he showed improved swing-and-miss stuff and excellent command while tallying 197 strikeouts with only 34 walks across 161.2 innings.

Gray (forearm) is on track to rejoin the rotation if the Rangers advance to the ALCS, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gray landed on the 15-day injured list just before the end of the regular season due to tightness in his lower right forearm, but he has apparently been trending well with his side work. Max Scherzer (shoulder) could also potentially become an option for Texas in the best-of-seven ALCS, rounding out a four-starter mix that already includes Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi. If at least Gray is able to return, Andrew Heaney and Dane Dunning would most likely operate in bulk relief.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told reporters over the weekend that the injections Manoah was given in his right shoulder late in the season were initiated by the pitcher, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

"It was his decision," Atkins said. "We supported him. He made the decision on his own to move in that direction. There were no structural issues." The GM also acknowledged that Manoah "disagreed with the decision" to option him on both occasions, which "created some frustration." However, Atkins also noted that Manoah has not asked to be traded and the GM is "very much looking forward to him being back in our rotation" next season. While it seems as though Manoah might need to mend some fences with the organization, his primary concern will be to figure out what happened in 2023 and rectifying it.