MLB Player News

Sale will start Game 1 of the ALCS against the Astros on Friday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Sale struggled in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rays and allowed five runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two in one inning. However, the southpaw will still take the mound to begin the ALCS, while Nate Eovaldi will start Game 2 on Saturday.

Garcia will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia will start on normal rest after he gave up five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three in 2.2 innings in Game 3 of the ALDS during his postseason debut. He'll attempt to right the ship at Minute Maid Park on Saturday.

Valdez will start Game 1 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez settled for a no-decision in Game 2 of the ALDS against the White Sox on Friday when he allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six in 4.1 innings. The southpaw will attempt to get back on track at home in the first game of the ALCS.

Urias is available to pitch behind opener Corey Knebel in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Giants on Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The 25-year-old lined up to start Thursday's game on normal rest, but the Dodgers will choose to begin the game with a right-hander on the mound. Urias earned the win in Game 2 of the NLDS on Saturday and allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five in five innings.

McCullers (forearm) is expected to miss the ALCS against the Red Sox, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

McCullers left his start in Game 4 of the ALDS against the White Sox with forearm discomfort. While an MRI revealed no long-term concerns, the injury is expected to prevent him from pitching for at least the immediate future. Whether or not he'd be in contention for the World Series should the Astros advance is not yet clear. In the meantime, Houston could turn to Jake Odorizzi, who was left off the ALDS roster, or potentially Zack Greinke, who may not be fully stretched out to start after missing time at the end of the regular season with a neck injury.

McCullers (forearm) recently underwent an MRI and isn't believed to be dealing with a long-term injury, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

McCullers exited Game 4 of the ALDS against the White Sox on Tuesday due to right forearm discomfort. Although the results of his MRI were relatively encouraging, it's not yet clear whether the 28-year-old will be able to pitch in the ALCS.

Rodon (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three over 2.2 innings in a loss to the Astros on Tuesday in Game 4 of the ALDS.

As Russell Dorsey of The Chicago Sun-Times notes, Rodon was pitching at less than 100 percent after arm and shoulder trouble crept up over the final couple months of the regular season. You couldn't tell early on, as Rodon was pumping fastballs in the high 90s and looked dominant through two innings, though he was eventually touched up a bit in the third before his exit. This may very well have been Rodon's last start in a White Sox uniform; he's never going to be a workhorse, but Rodon pitched brilliantly in his 132.2 innings during the regular season and will likely have several multi-year offers in free agency.

Buehler allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out four in 4.1 innings during Tuesday's win over the Giants in Game 4 of the NLDS. He didn't factor into the decision.

Buhler was pitching on short rest in Tuesday's start, and he was able to toss 71 pitches (42 strikes) to begin the game. The right-hander recorded a 3.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 10.2 innings across his two NLDS starts, and his next appearance will likely come in the NLCS if the Dodgers win Thursday's Game 5.

DeSclafani (0-1) allowed two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two in 1.2 innings to take the loss in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

DeSclafani had recorded a 2.25 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 32 innings across his last six starts of the regular season, but he was pulled from Tuesday's postseason matchup after throwing just 28 pitches. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available out of the bullpen for Game 5 on Thursday following his brief appearance Tuesday, but he's a strong candidate to start in the NLCS if the Giants advance.

Lauer allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over 3.2 innings during the loss to Atlanta in Game 4 of the NLDS on Tuesday. He had two strikeouts and did not factor in the decision.

The Brewers ended a 22-inning scoreless streak to provide the left-hander a 2-0 lead during the top of the fourth inning, but he was unable to maintain that advantage while failing to complete the bottom of the frame. Lauer ended up throwing 50 of 74 pitches for strikes and generated nine whiffs on the day. The 26-year-old was a reliable starter for Milwaukee in 2021 with a 3.19 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 117:41 K:BB over 118.2 innings, and he'll enter the offseason as a safe bet to begin spring training in the starting rotation.