MLB Player News
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Austin Slater LF | BAL
Orioles' Austin Slater: Not in lineup versus lefty
Slater is absent from the lineup Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Royals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Slater was in the lineup more often than not versus lefties down the stretch for the Orioles, but he will begin Tuesday's contest on the bench against southpaw Cole Ragans. Ragans does have reverse splits, with lefties producing a .723 OPS off him this season and righties just a .594 OPS. Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander will form Baltimore's outfield trio Tuesday.
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James McCann C | BAL
Orioles' James McCann: Starting at catcher in Game 1
McCann will start at catcher and bat ninth Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Royals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
With left-hander Cole Ragans toeing the slab for the Royals, the Orioles are going with McCann behind the plate and Adley Rutschman at designated hitter in Game 1. McCann closed out the regular season on a high note with a 1.087 OPS and four home runs in September.
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Hunter Renfroe RF | KC
Royals' Hunter Renfroe: Not in Game 1 lineup
Renfroe is not in the lineup for Tuesday's Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Orioles.
Renfroe started eight of the final 12 games of the regular season in right field (five against lefties, three versus righties). However, with Vinnie Pasquantino back in action and limited to designated-hitter duties, the Royals are going with Tommy Pham in right field for Game 1 versus righty Corbin Burnes.
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Keider Montero SP | DET
Tigers' Keider Montero: Left off wild-card roster
Montero is not on the Tigers' roster for the American League Wild Card Series against the Astros, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
The Tigers' starting pitching plans beyond Tarik Skubal in Game 1 are cloudy, but Montero didn't make the cut despite a 3.79 ERA over 10 starts and two relief appearances from August on. He could potentially be added to the ALDS roster, if the Tigers advance.
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Kerry Carpenter RF | DET
Tigers' Kerry Carpenter: Not in Game 1 lineup
Carpenter is absent from the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Astros.
The left-handed-hitting Carpenter doesn't typically start against lefties, so it's not a surprise to see him out of the lineup as the Astros send southpaw Framber Valdez to the hill. Justyn-Henry Malloy will be the Tigers' designated hitter and No. 2 hitter.
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Chas McCormick LF | HOU
Astros' Chas McCormick: On Houston's wild-card roster
The Astros activated McCormick (hand) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
McCormick has been sidelined since mid-September with a small fracture in his right hand, but he's progressed enough to be included on the team's wild-card roster. While an option to get some reps versus lefties, McCormick is not in the Game 1 lineup against southpaw Tarik Skubal.
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Justin Verlander SP | HOU
Astros' Justin Verlander: Excluded from wild-card roster
Verlander is not on the Astros' roster for the American League Wild Card Series versus the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Verlander's absence from the roster, while perhaps jarring, is not a surprise, as he wasn't going to make a start in the series and was unlikely to be carried as a reliever. Whether he's on the ALDS roster, should the Astros advance, is a bigger question. Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti will be available in relief for Houston in the wild-card series.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: In Game 1 lineup
Alvarez (knee) will start at designated hitter and bat second Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Tigers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Alvarez missed the final week of the regular season with a right knee sprain, but he's progressed sufficiently enough to be included on the Astros' wild-card series roster and in their Game 1 lineup. The 27-year-old slashed .308/.392/.567 with 35 home runs in 147 games this season.
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Albert Suarez SP | BAL
Orioles' Albert Suarez: Not part of wild-card roster
Suarez is not on the Orioles' American League Wild Card Series roster.
Suarez is a candidate to potentially get a start in the ALDS, should the Orioles advance, but the club will need just a max of three starters during the wild-card series. Matt Bowman was also left off the Orioles' roster, with Colin Selby and Cade Povich capturing the final two spots in the bullpen.