MLB Player News

Scherzer was removed from Game 3 of the World Series against the Diamondbacks on Monday due to back tightness, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Scherzer beckoned to the team trainer shortly after he went out to warm up for the bottom of the fourth inning, and he exited the contest immediately after. Considering he only threw 36 pitches over three innings, it's possible the veteran right-hander could pitch again in a few days. However, Scherzer's availability for the rest of the series will depend on how he feels in the days to come.

Updating a previous item, Gray is not yet locked in to start Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday in Arizona, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported earlier Monday that it would be Gray taking the ball for the Rangers in Game 4. While the right-hander appears to be the most likely candidate to start Tuesday, manager Bruce Bochy noted that he would not be holding Gray or anyone else back from pitching in Game 3, if needed. Bochy should officially announce a Game 4 starter after the conclusion of Game 3.

Gray will start Tuesday in Game 4 of the World Series in Arizona, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Gray hasn't started a game since Sept. 25, as he ended the regular season on the injured list with a forearm issue and has been used in relief in his two postseason appearances. The 31-year-old looked very sharp out of the bullpen in Game 1, striking out four over 1.2 scoreless innings. He threw 26 pitches in that appearance and will be going on three days' rest Tuesday, so Gray will not be ready for a full workload. The Diamondbacks are going with a bullpen game Tuesday.

Montgomery will be the Rangers' starter for Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

After allowing just two runs over 14 innings across three appearances versus the Astros in the ALCS, Montgomery will follow Game 1 starter Nathan Eovaldi in the World Series rotation. Including the postseason, Montgomery has put up a 2.62 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through 92.2 innings since being traded to the Rangers.

Cecconi is not part of the Diamondbacks' World Series roster that was submitted Friday.

He took Jace Peterson's spot on the roster for the NLCS, but Arizona has decided to go back to 14 position players and 12 pitchers for the World Series. Cecconi threw two scoreless innings against the Phillies in the NLCS.

Gutierrez elected free agency Thursday.

Gutierrez had been removed from the Reds' 40-man roster and has opted to test out free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. He didn't pitch at the major-league level in 2023 after having a late-season setback from Tommy John surgery. It's unclear what Gutierrez's current health status is.

Lynch (shoulder) is pitching in an Arizona Fall League game Thursday, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

Lynch missed most of the second half due to a shoulder injury, but he logged one rehab start with Triple-A Omaha in late September and is now making up for lost time in the AFL. The 26-year-old left-hander could be a candidate for an Opening Day rotation spot with the Royals in 2024 if his health cooperates.

Pfaadt will start Game 3 of the World Series on Monday versus the Rangers, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

After putting up a 5.72 ERA and 1.41 WHIP during the regular season, Pfaadt has seemingly flipped a switch during the playoffs, posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 22 strikeouts across 16.2 innings. The 25-year-old rookie will follow Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly in the D-backs' rotation, with Pfaadt also in line to start Game 7 of the World Series, if necessary.

Kelly will start Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday against the Rangers, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Zac Gallen will get the nod for the Diamondbacks in Game 1 on Friday and Brandon Pfaadt is lined up to handle Game 3 on Monday. Kelly recorded a huge win against the Phillies in Game 6 of the NLCS, tallying eight strikeouts across five innings of one-run ball. He carries an overall 2.65 ERA with 19 strikeouts through 17 innings (three starts) this postseason.

Eovaldi will start Game 1 of the World Series on Friday versus the Diamondbacks, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

He'll be facing off against Zac Gallen, who was announced as Arizona's Game 1 starter Wednesday afternoon. Eovaldi has been tremendous so far this postseason, boasting a 4-0 record, 2.42 ERA and 28:4 K:BB through four starts covering 26 innings. He's worked at least six innings each time out.