MLB Player News

Smith-Shawver will be on Atlanta's roster for the NLDS against the Phillies, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Spencer Strider, Max Fried and Bryce Elder are locked in as the NLDS starters for the NL East champions, but Smith-Shawver can be a piggyback option if any of those three run into early trouble versus Philadelphia. The 20-year-old right-hander registered a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB over his first 25.1 major-league innings during the regular season.

Wright will not be on the roster for Atlanta's NLDS matchup against the Phillies, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Wright registered an ugly 6.97 ERA over 31 innings when healthy this year and was shifted to the bullpen toward the end of the regular season. There is no spot for him -- either in the rotation or bullpen -- as the NL East champions roll into their best-of-five National League Division Series versus Philly.

Morton (finger) threw a bullpen session Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Morton's mound session seemingly went smoothly, but he won't be eligible to return until the NLCS after being placed on the IL on Sept. 24 with inflammation in his right index finger. Nonetheless, the 39-year-old righty is showing signs of progress and may be able to contribute to Atlanta's postseason run if the team manages to get past Philadelphia in the NLDS.

Alcantara underwent Tommy John surgery Friday to repair the UCL in his right elbow, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Alcantara landed on the injured list in early September and had his rehab assignment cut short after spraining his UCL on Sept. 22. Now having undergone surgery to address the issue, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner will almost certainly miss the entire 2024 season.

Scherzer (shoulder) faced hitters during a simulated game Friday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Scherzer threw two simulated innings against live hitters before throwing a third inning with nobody standing in the batter's box. The 39-year-old said afterward that he felt good while on the mound, but he's more concerned with how he'll recover afterward. It's possible the Rangers list Scherzer on their ALDS roster ahead of Game 1 against Baltimore on Saturday, but there is no guarantee he'll be available to pitch during the series.

Fried (finger) will start Monday against the Phillies in Game 2 of the NLDS.

Fried finished the regular season on the injured list due to a blister on his left index finger, but the issue seems to have subsided as Atlanta prepares to begin its postseason run. Fried most recently faced the Phillies on Sept. 12, allowing just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters through five innings.

Strider will start Saturday against the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLDS.

Strider struggled toward the end of the regular season, posting a 5.60 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 27.1 innings in September. However, he was dominant in the two starts he made against the Phillies that month, giving up four runs over 14 innings while striking out 20 batters and walking just two.

Gray will start Game 3 of Minnesota's ALDS matchup versus the Astros on Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Gray's next postseason start will come after Bailey Ober and Pablo Lopez, who are slated to start the first two games of the series, respectively. Gray faced Houston twice in the regular season, giving up four total runs while striking out 16 batters and walking four through 13 innings.

Lopez will start Game 2 of the Twins' ALDS matchup against Houston on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Lopez will follow Game 1 starter Bailey Ober, and Sonny Gray will start Game 3 on Tuesday. Lopez had a shaky end to the regular season, giving up 11 runs over 15.1 innings. However, he was able to bounce back nicely in Game 1 of the Twins' AL Wild Card Series against Toronto, allowing just one run over 5.2 frames while striking out three batters and walking two.

Ober will start Saturday against the Astros in Game 1 of the ALDS, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Ober wasn't even on the Twins' AL Wild Card Series roster, but he'll be entrusted with the series opener in Houston. The big right-hander was sent to the minors following a midseason swoon, but he returned in September to post a 2.08 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21.2 innings of work. Ober will be opposed by Justin Verlander in Game 1.