MLB Player News

Urquidy will start Game 3 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Monday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Urquidy didn't make an appearance in the ALDS against the White Sox after his scheduled start was postponed, but he'll make his second career playoff appearance Monday. The right-hander returned to the mound in early September and posted a 4.25 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 29.2 innings across the final month of the regular season.

Valdez allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out two in 2.2 innings in Friday's win over the Red Sox in Game 1 of the ALCS. He didn't factor into the decision.

Valdez began Friday's contest by tossing two scoreless frames, but he was removed from the game after Boston put together a rally in the top of the third inning. The southpaw has now posted a 7.71 ERA and 2.43 WHIP in seven innings across his first two starts in the postseason. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road in Game 5.

Sale allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out two in 2.2 innings in Friday's loss to the Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS. He didn't factor into the decision.

Sale gave up a run in the bottom of the first inning Friday but held the Astros scoreless during the remainder of his outing. He's made two starts since the postseason began and has posted a 14.73 ERA and 3.00 WHIP in 3.2 innings. The southpaw tentatively lines up to make his next start at home in Game 5 on Wednesday, but he could be available sooner since he threw just 61 pitches in Game 1.

Manager Dusty Baker said Friday that McCullers (forearm) is dealing with a muscle strain and has no structural damage, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old has already been ruled out for the ALCS after exiting his Game 4 start versus Tampa Bay with the injury, but he's avoided any long-term concerns. It remains to be seen whether McCullers will be available for the World Series should the Astros defeat the Red Sox. Jake Odorizzi was left off the initial playoff roster but will join Houston for the ALCS in the wake of the injury.

Fried will start Game 1 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Fried was excellent down the stretch, recording a 1.46 ERA in 11 starts since the beginning of August. His 23.4 percent strikeout rate over that stretch wasn't anything special, but his elite 3.3 percent walk rate and 58.3 percent groundball rate represent a sustainable path to success. He was excellent in his start in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers, striking out nine while allowing just three hits across six scoreless innings.

Odorizzi has been included on the Astros' ALCS roster, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The absence of Lance McCullers (forearm) opened a roster spot for Odorizzi, who is a candidate to start Game 4 on Tuesday. The 31-year-old pitched twice against Boston in early June, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and four walks in eight total innings.

McCullers (forearm) was left off the Astros' roster for the ALCS against the Red Sox.

The move was an expected one, as reports emerged Thursday that McCullers wasn't going to be able to pitch in the series after leaving his start in Game 4 of the ALDS against the White Sox with forearm discomfort. While he isn't believed to be dealing with a long-term issue, it's no surprise that he'll miss at least a bit of time. Whether or not he'll have a chance to pitch in the World Series should the Astros win the AL pennant remains to be seen. Jake Odorizzi was added to the ALCS roster after being left off for the ALDS and could step into Houston's rotation in McCullers' absence.

Webb allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out seven across seven innings in Game 5 of the NLDS on Thursday against the Dodgers. He did not factor into the decision.

Three of the four hits Webb allowed came from Mookie Betts, and his only earned run was the result of a double by Corey Seager in the sixth inning. Webb otherwise dominated the Dodgers, inducing nine groundouts. Though the Giants came up short in the series finale, Webb pitched like an ace and allowed only one earned run across 14.2 innings while striking out 17 and walking one in two starts in the NLDS.

Urias allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks while striking out five across four innings Thursday in Game 5 of the NLDS.

Urias entered the game in the third inning and matched Logan Webb's masterful performance. The lone earned run against Urias came on a solo home run by Darin Ruf in the sixth inning, though he didn't allow any additional extra-base hits. Urias played a large role in the Dodgers' advancement through the NLDS, throwing a total of nine innings across two appearances while allowing just two earned runs and racking up 10 strikeouts compared to one walk.

Eovaldi will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Astros on Saturday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Eovaldi will make his third start of the postseason after he recorded a 2.61 ERA and 0.77 WHIP in 10.1 innings across his first two outings. Chris Sale will take the mound for the series opener.