MLB Player News

Manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Eovaldi is still available to pitch in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Astros on Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Eovaldi threw 24 pitches as a reliever in Tuesday's Game 4 loss. However, he tentatively lines up to make his fourth postseason start on the road in Game 6 on Friday and seems to have a good chance to take the mound to begin the game.

Eovaldi (1-1) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss against the Astros in Game 4 of the ALCS on Tuesday.

Eovaldi made his first relief appearance of the postseason after starting in each of his first three outings, but he was roughed up in the top of the ninth inning. It's not clear whether the right-hander will be able to start one of the final two games of the ALCS after he tossed 24 pitches in Tuesday's contest.

Greinke allowed two runs on a hit and a walk in 1.1 innings during Tuesday's win over the Red Sox in Game 4 of the ALCS. He didn't factor into the decision.

Greinke had gone a month between starts since he's worked out of the bullpen to begin the postseason, and he wasn't able to provide much length Tuesday. He threw just 18 of his 37 pitches for strikes, and his free passes helped to contribute to a two-run first inning for the Red Sox. Across the right-hander's first two appearances of the postseason, he's recorded a 7.71 ERA and 2.57 WHIP in 2.1 innings. He'll presumably be available out of the bullpen later in the ALCS.

Sale will start Game 5 of the ALCS against the Astros on Wednesday unless he's needed in relief for Tuesday's Game 4 matchup, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

While Sale is technically available out of the bullpen Tuesday, the Red Sox would likely much prefer for him to handle multiple innings at the start of Wednesday's contest. He's had a limited role in his two playoff starts thus far this year, lasting a combined 3.2 innings while allowing six runs on nine hits.

Urias remains the expected starter for Game 4 of the NLCS against Atlanta on Wednesday after previously looking like he could get pushed back to Game 5, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Urias was expected to start Game 4 before the series began, but there was some doubt whether or not he'd be available after he was called upon to pitch the eighth inning in Game 2 on what would have been his bullpen day Sunday. Rather than pushing him back to Game 5 and going with a bullpen day for Game 4, however, the Dodgers will keep Urias on his previous schedule. It's possible he won't be able to pitch as deep as he otherwise would have given his relief appearance just three days prior.

Taillon will undergo ankle surgery in late October, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Taillon hit the injured list in early September with a right ankle tendon injury. He returned for a pair of brief starts at the end of the season but wasn't fully healthy. The procedure is expected to take five months to recover from, giving him an expected return date in late March. If everything goes smoothly, he could be ready for game action by Opening Day, but even a slight delay will likely send him to the injured list to open the season.

Urquidy was removed from Monday's ALCS Game 3 loss to the Red Sox after just 1.2 innings, as he'd given up six runs (five earned) on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out just one batter.

Urquidy retired the first four batters he faced, but it all fell apart with one out in the second. A walk, a double, a walk and a single led to the Red Sox's first run before a fielder's choice drove in the second. An error on that play meant the bases were still loaded, but they didn't remain that way for long, as Kyle Schwarber cleared them with a grand slam. Urquidy then allowed singles to two of the next three batters before finally exiting. It was a disastrous first outing of the 2021 postseason for the 26-year-old righty, who previously owned a 2.81 ERA in 25.2 career playoff innings.

Rodriguez earned the win in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Astros on Monday, striking out seven and walking none while giving up three runs on five hits in six innings of work.

Rodriguez wasn't handed a particularly tough task Monday, as his teammates gave him a 6-0 lead after two innings and a 9-0 lead after three. He did give back three runs on a Kyle Tucker homer in the top of the fourth, so his performance may not have been good enough on a different day, but it was an overall encouraging outing. He'll be on turn to start Game 7 on Saturday if the series goes the distance.

Greinke will start Game 4 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Greinke will be asked to give his team some length Tuesday, which may be a tall task considering his last start took place one month ago. He did manage to toss a scoreless frame in Game 3 of the ALDS. Greinke finished the regular season with a 4.16 ERA and 1.17 WHIP and a 120:36 K:BB across 171 frames.

Kopech could be moved into the starting rotation next season, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Duber adds that Craig Kimbrel might not return in 2022, so Kopech could also serve as the team's top setup option in front of closer Liam Hendriks. However, it appears that the organization wants to see Kopech in the rotation, which would seemingly increase his fantasy value if he finds success as a starter. The 25-year-old would likely have a capped workload, though, after tossing just 69.1 innings as a reliever this season.