MLB Player News

Manager Rob Thomson said Friday that Suarez will start Game 1 of the Phillies' NLDS matchup against Atlanta on Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez's services weren't needed during the Phillies' two-game sweep over Miami in the NL Wild Card Series, so he'll be making his first appearance of the postseason on plenty of rest. The 28-year-old lefty posted a 4.18 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 22 starts during the regular season, but he surrendered 10 runs over 11.1 frames across his last two outings and will be facing an Atlanta offense that boasts an incredible .845 OPS -- a mark that rise to .870 against southpaws.

Rodriguez will start Sunday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The rookie right-hander will be following Game 1 starter Kyle Bradish. Rodriguez got sent back to the minors following a slow start to the season but was dynamite after returning, posting a 2.58 ERA and 73:21 K:BB over his final 76.2 frames covering 13 starts. That includes a 2.17 ERA and 32:7 K:BB over 29 innings in September.

Bradish will start Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish seemed to be the clear choice for the Orioles following a breakout 2023 campaign which saw him post a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168:44 K:BB over 168.2 innings covering 30 starts. That includes a 2.34 ERA in the second half and a 16-inning scoreless streak to end his regular season. The Rangers have not yet announced a Game 1 starter, but it's expected to be Dane Dunning. Grayson Rodriguez will get the ball in Game 2 for the O's.

Ober is being considered to start Saturday's Game 1 of the ALDS in Houston, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Joe Ryan was going to start a potential AL Wild Card Series Game 3 for the Twins, so he's also a candidate for Game 1 of the ALDS and perhaps the favorite for the start. Kenta Maeda is also in the mix. Ober wasn't even on the AL Wild Card Series roster because the team needed only three starters, but he told Hayes that the Twins "have dropped hints he'll pitch at some point" during the ALDS. Ober posted a 2.08 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21.2 innings after rejoining the club Sept. 15 following a stint in the minors.

Miller will start Game 2 of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Miller boasted an impressive 3.76 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 119:32 K:BB across the first 124.1 innings of his big-league career in 2023. He'll now be trusted in the postseason, with Clayton Kershaw set to take the ball in Game 1.

Lynn (bereavement list) threw four innings in a sim game Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts noted that the earliest Lynn could pitch in the NLDS against Arizona would be Game 3, but he didn't commit to using Lynn as a starter. Gavin Stone also threw a sim game Thursday, though Ryan Pepiot would be the likeliest candidate to take the ball if Lynn were passed over.

The Diamondbacks named Kelly as their starter for Game 1 of Arizona's NLDS matchup against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Kelly will be fully rested for Saturday after not having to pitch during the D-backs' two-game sweep of the Brewers. Kelly was dominant in his final three starts of the regular season, allowing just four runs over 18.2 innings. However, Kelly gave up seven runs in five innings during his last matchup against the Dodgers on Aug. 29.

Dunning is likely to start for the Rangers in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday at Baltimore, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Dunning was not needed in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series, with Texas earning a quick two-game sweep of the Rays, so he would be on five full days of rest for Saturday's ALDS opener versus the Orioles. Assuming the 28-year-old right-hander is indeed the pick for Game 1, the Rangers would probably then roll with Jordan Montgomery as their starter in ALDS Game 2 on Sunday followed by Nathan Eovaldi in ALDS Game 3 on Tuesday.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Scherzer (shoulder) could advance to facing live hitters Friday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 12 due to a teres major muscle injury and remains doubtful to be included on the ALDS roster, but the veteran right-hander has made significant progress over the last week and might be somewhat close to full strength by the start of the ALCS -- should Texas move on past Baltimore. Scherzer responded well to a high-intensity bullpen session Wednesday, telling reporters that he "was able to step on it more," and he emerged from the workout with no lingering discomfort in his throwing shoulder.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Urquidy will likely work out of the bullpen during the ALDS against the Twins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy was tremendous in a spot start on the third-to-last day of the regular season, working six scoreless innings in a win over the Diamondbacks, but the Astros have already announced that Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez will start ALDS Games 1 and 2, with Cristian Javier looking probable for Game 3. J.P. France and Hunter Brown could also be in bullpen roles for Houston's best-of-five series versus Minnesota.