MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that McCullers (forearm) hasn't yet resumed throwing, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

McCullers has been sidelined since Game 4 of the ALDS due to a forearm strain, although the team's medical staff has determined that the right-hander isn't dealing with any structural damage. The 28-year-old appears unlikely to pitch in the World Series if the Astros advance, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him available for spring training in 2022.

Garcia will start Game 6 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Garcia started Game 2 of the ALCS on Saturday, but he was forced out of the contest in the top of the second inning due to right knee discomfort. However, he threw a bullpen Sunday and felt better following his early exit. As a result, the right-hander will start at Minute Maid Park as the Astros attempt to punch their ticket to the World Series.

Sale allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters in 5.1 innings in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Astros on Wednesday. He was saddled with the loss.

The whiffs were there for Sale, and he actually pitched quite well through his first five frames, allowing nothing more than a second-inning solo shot by Yordan Alvarez. Everything unraveled in the sixth inning, however, when he started to face Houston's best bats for the third time. A walk and an error to start the frame put him in trouble right away, and he was eventually pulled after allowing a two-RBI double by Yordan Alvarez, who would later come around to score himself. It hasn't been a postseason to remember for the veteran lefty, who's only thrown nine innings across his three starts and owns an 8.00 ERA.

Urias (0-1) allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings to take the loss against Atlanta in Game 4 of the NLCS on Wednesday.

Urias had pitched the eighth inning in Game 2 of the NLCS on Sunday, which prompted some speculation that he could be pushed back to start Game 5. However, he didn't appear to have any limitations in Wednesday's matchup while throwing 92 pitches across five innings. The southpaw has now allowed at least one run in each of his four postseason appearances this year and has posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 15 innings during that time.

Smyly (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two in 3.1 innings to earn the win over the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS on Wednesday.

Smyly worked behind an opener in Wednesday's matchup and gave up two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, but he was rewarded with his first playoff win of the year while making his first 2021 postseason appearance. The southpaw tossed 56 pitches Wednesday, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available in relief later in the series.

Valdez picked up the win with an excellent outing in Game 5 of the ALCS against Boston on Wednesday, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five across eight innings.

A recurring theme throughout the postseason has been starters failing to pitch deep into games, sometimes by design but often due to poor performance. Valdez contributed to that in his previous outings, lasting a combined seven innings in his first two playoff starts, but he did everything the Astros could have wanted this time around. The only blemish on his record was a solo shot by Rafael Devers in the seventh inning, but all that did was shrink the Astros' lead from seven to six. Valdez won't be lined up to start again this series, but it's possible he's available out of the bullpen for Game 7 on Saturday if the series goes the distance.

Ynoa (shoulder) was removed from Atlanta's roster for the NLCS on Wednesday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ynoa was scratched from starting Game 4 against the Dodgers on Wednesday due to shoulder inflammation, and Atlanta has now received approval to remove him from the NLCS roster He won't be eligible to pitch in the World Series if Atlanta advances. Dylan Lee was added to the roster in a corresponding move.

Ynoa was scratched from starting Game 4 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Wednesday due to right shoulder inflammation, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was announced as the starter for Atlanta's bullpen game earlier Wednesday, but Jesse Chavez will instead receive the nod in Game 4. Ynoa's only work in the playoffs so far was a one-inning relief appearance against Milwaukee, and the injury will now leave Atlanta shorthanded for the bullpen game. It's unclear if the team is considering removing Ynoa from the NLCS roster, which would also make him unavailable for the World Series should Atlanta advance.

Ynoa is listed as Atlanta's starting pitcher Wednesday for what's expected to be a bullpen day in Game 4 of the NLCS matchup with the Dodgers, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 23-year-old will move back to the rotation after he tossed one inning in relief during Atlanta's four-game series victory over the Brewers in the NLDS, but manager Brian Snitker likely won't let Ynoa work deep into Wednesday's contest. Because he struggled in a traditional starting role over the final six weeks of the regular season upon returning from a fractured hand in mid-August, Ynoa could be capped at 2-to-3 innings while Atlanta looks to maximize his results. Drew Smyly and A.J. Minter are candidates to cover multiple frames behind Ynoa.

Carrasco underwent surgery Tuesday to remove a bone fragment from his right elbow.

Carrasco missed the first half of the 2021 campaign with a hamstring injury and recorded a 6.04 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 53.2 innings across 12 starts. Although he'll require some time to recover following his elbow procedure, he's expected to resume baseball activities this winter. As a result, it seems likely that the right-hander will be ready for spring training in 2022.