MLB Player News

Montgomery allowed five hits and one walk across 6.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in Sunday's 2-0 contest against the Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS. He struck out six.

Montgomery faltered in his previous start against Baltimore in the ALDS, but he was able to right the ship in this one to help cover the bulk of the shutout. The southpaw faced a tense moment in the fourth inning with the bases loaded but managed to strike out Martin Maldonado to keep the Astros off the board. Sunday's win marked the second for Montgomery this October and his first playoff start with at least six strikeouts. He now has a 2.08 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 13 strikeouts across 17.1 innings this postseason.

Gray (forearm) is on the Rangers' roster for the American League Championship Series against the Astros, which begins Sunday in Houston, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander landed on the 15-day injured list with lower forearm tightness after his Sept. 25 start against the Angels, and he'll join the playoff roster after the Rangers advanced through the wild-card series and the ALDS. Max Scherzer (shoulder) also made the roster, potentially lining up Gray to start Game 4 on Thursday since Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi are pitching the first two games of the series.

Scherzer (shoulder) is included on the Rangers' roster for the American League Championship Series against the Astros, which begins Sunday in Houston, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer has been sidelined for the past month by a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder, but he's made a quick recovery after initially being given an 8-to-12-week return timeline. The 39-year-old tossed a 60-pitch simulated game Wednesday and could have some workload limitations when he takes the mound. According to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, manager Bruce Bochy said there's a "good chance" Scherzer starts Game 3 on Wednesday, but the right-hander could also be used Sunday if the right situation presents itself.

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.