Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that he expects Bautista (elbow) to more or less be without restrictions at the start of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista started throwing off the mound in August and will be 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery by February. As long as he looks good during Grapefruit League play, he should regain the closer role for Baltimore heading into 2025. Bautista posted a 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 110:26 K:BB over 61 innings while notching 33 saves in 2023.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Urquidy (elbow) is projected to return in late July next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June, so a return in a little over a year would be aggressive. Of course, any timetable at this juncture of recovery is a rough approximation. Urquidy is arbitration eligible for a final time this offseason, and it would seem as though the Astros plan to tender him a contract for 2025.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Javier (elbow) is projected to return in late July of next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's an ambitious timeline considering Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in June. Any projected timetable at this stage of rehab is approximate, but it does appear Brown expects Javier to have a good shot to contribute shortly after the All-Star break next season.

Verlander said Wednesday that he plans to continue his major-league career in 2025, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander -- who will turn 42 in February -- battled through a disappointing 2024 season, finishing with a 5.48 ERA and 74:27 K:BB over 90.1 innings covering 17 starts before being left off the Astros wild-card roster. He began the year on the injured list with a shoulder problem and also missed substantial time with a neck issue, an injury which he has indicated he might have come back too soon from and could have affected his performance. Given his age and the season he just had, Verlander will enter free agency with question marks, but he shouldn't have trouble finding a team willing to take a shot on a bounce-back showing in 2025.

Musgrove will undergo and MRI on his injured right elbow Thursday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove had to depart Wednesday's start versus Atlanta due to what the Padres are referring to now simply as right elbow tightness. Initial testing on his UCL came back clean, but more clarity will be available following Thursday's exam. For what it's worth, Musgrove said the discomfort he felt Wednesday was "very different" from the pain he experienced due to a bone spur in his elbow which sent him to the injured list twice earlier this season. The pitcher also revealed that he'd been battling some soreness in the elbow prior to the outing. If Musgrove needs to be replaced on the NLDS roster, Martin Perez is a candidate to fill that slot.

Ragans (calf) will start Monday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans exited his wild-card series start versus the Orioles after six shutout innings due to left calf cramps, but his readiness for the start of the ALDS doesn't seem to be in question. The left-handed Ragans -- who will be pitching on five days' rest -- will be preceded by Michael Wacha in Game 1.

Wacha will start Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wacha had been lined up for Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, but with the Royals completing a two-game sweep of the Orioles, the righty will be held back for the ALDS opener. He'll be opposed by Gerrit Cole.

Quintana will start Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series in Milwaukee on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

During his last regular-season start against the Brewers on Saturday, Quintana allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out nine batters in just 4.1 innings, but he ended up taking the loss. The veteran lefty will now look to get some revenge on the Crew in what will be the sixth postseason appearance of his 13-year career.

Musgrove left his start Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series versus Atlanta due to right elbow tightness.

Musgrove's elbow began to affect his velocity in the fourth inning of Wednesday's contest, forcing him out after just 3.2 frames of one-run ball. There's no telling if he'll be available for the NLDS if San Diego advances past Atlanta. It's worth noting that the 31-year-old has already landed on the IL twice this season due to elbow-related injuries.

Musgrove was removed from Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against Atlanta on Wednesday due to an apparent injury, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Musgrove was visited on the mound by a trainer after displaying decreased velocity in the fourth inning. It's unclear what exactly the right-hander is dealing with, but the Padres will take a closer look at him and should offer an update on his status in the near future. Prior to his removal, he allowed one earned run on one hit while striking out four batters over 3.2 innings.