MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) won't be available to pitch in the World Series, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

McCullers missed the ALCS after he sustained a right forearm injury in mid-October, and he hasn't yet resumed throwing. The righty underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage, and his injury isn't believed to be a long-term concern. However, he'll now shift his focus toward preparing for spring training in 2022.

Valdez will start Game 1 of the World Series against Atlanta on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez pitched eight excellent frames in Game 5 of the ALCS versus Boston, and he'll take the mound in the first game of the World Series for Houston. The left-hander has a 4.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB through three starts (15 innings) this postseason.

Morton will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Astros on Tuesday.

Morton lined up to start Game 7 of the NLCS versus the Dodgers on Sunday if necessary, but Atlanta took care of business in Game 6, allowing him to open the World Series on the mound. The veteran right-hander has a 3.77 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across three starts (14.1 innings) this postseason.

Anderson allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four batters across four innings of work in Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision.

Anderson allowed just a single baserunner through his first three innings of work but allowed the Dodgers to tie the score at 1-1 on a Cody Bellinger single in the top of the fourth. While Atlanta scored three times in the bottom of the frame while Anderson was still the pitcher of record, he was ineligible for a win, as he failed to finish five frames. He now owns a 2.25 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP across three postseason starts.

Buehler took the loss in Game 6 of the NLCS against Atlanta, giving up four runs on seven hits in four innings of work. He struck out six while walking three.

Buehler was put in a tough position, starting on short rest after Max Scherzer was scratched due to arm fatigue. He gave up one run on an Austin Riley double in the first inning but avoided any trouble in the next two frames. He retired the first two batters in the fourth inning but allowed a walk and a double followed by a three-run blast from Eddie Rosario. Buehler will end the postseason with a 4.91 ERA in four starts, only one of which lasted more than 4.1 innings.

Garcia (1-1) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out seven in 5.2 scoreless innings to earn the win against the Red Sox in Game 6 of the ALCS on Friday.

Garcia dealt with right knee discomfort in last weekend's start, but he didn't appear to be hindered by the issue Friday. He tossed 76 pitches and held the Red Sox hitless through 5.2 innings before he gave up a triple to Enrique Hernandez in the top of the sixth. The 24-year-old has a 9.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 9.1 innings across three postseason starts this year, and he'll attempt to carry Friday's momentum into the World Series.

Eovaldi (1-2) allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out four in 4.1 innings to take the loss against the Astros on Friday in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Eovaldi was relatively effective at holding the Astros in check to begin Friday's matchup, with the only run he allowed coming via a double in the bottom of the first inning. However, the Red Sox only mustered two hits during the game, forcing the right-hander to settle for the loss. The 31-year-old made five appearances (four starts) during the postseason and recorded a 4.79 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 20.2 innings.

Buehler will start Game 6 of the NLCS against Atlanta on Saturday.

Buehler initially lined up for a Game 7 start Sunday, but he'll be pushed up a day after Max Scherzer (arm) was scratched from his start. Across his first three postseason appearances this year, the right-hander has recorded a 3.77 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 14.1 innings.

Chirinos fractured his elbow in late September while recovering from Tommy John surgery and wound up undergoing a second surgery, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos underwent Tommy John surgery back in August of 2020. The timing meant he was always likely to miss all of 2021, though he would have been ready for the start of next year's spring training if not for the setback. While the fracture didn't damage his surgically-repaired ligament, he now isn't expected to begin throwing again until spring training and won't be ready to begin rehab action until late April at the earliest.

Fried (0-1) allowed five earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three across 4.2 innings to take the loss in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Thursday.

Fried was handed a 2-0 lead prior to taking the mound, but he allowed two home runs in the second inning to quickly surrender the support. He had pitched well in his two prior starts this postseason, combining to allow only two earned runs across 12 innings entering Thursday's outing. Fried almost certainly won't be available for the rest of the NLCS, so he'll hope to have the chance to bounce back with starts in the World Series.