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.

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.

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.

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.

The Royals activated Pasquantino (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Pasquantino was supposed to be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks when he required surgery to repair a fractured right thumb in early September, but he's beat that timetable by a wide margin and will be part of the Royals' wild-card series roster. The expectation is that Pasquantino will be used at designated hitter, at least initially, which would free up at-bats at first base for Yuli Gurriel and/or Salvador Perez.

Baty is with the Mets in Milwaukee as part of their taxi squad, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Jesse Winker is dealing with a back issue, which has his status for the National League Wild Card series in question. If Winker is unable to go, it sounds like Baty would be the choice to replace him on the roster. Baty put up a .633 OPS in 50 games during the regular season with the Mets but had a .925 OPS in his final 14 contests at Triple-A Syracuse.

Winker is uncertain to be included on the Mets' wild-card roster due to a back injury, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Winker didn't play in the Mets' final four games, including the last three against right-handed pitching. He was spotted Monday with his back taped up, suggesting that could be the reason for his recent absence. If Winker is unavailable, J.D. Martinez could become the Mets' regular designated hitter again. Brett Baty is with the Mets on their taxi squad and is likely to be added to the active roster if Winker is a no-go.

Elder is a candidate to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver and Ian Anderson have all been named as options for Tuesday's game, and the club doesn't appear to be in a hurry to name a starter. Elder struggled to find his footing in the big leagues during the regular season, accruing a 6.52 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with 46 strikeouts across 49.2 innings (10 starts).

Smith-Shawver could start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Bowman notes that Bryce Elder and Ian Anderson are two other options for Atlanta in Game 1, and it seems the club is content with keeping its pitching plans behind closed doors until closer to first pitch. Smith-Shawver made one start during the regular season, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings May 23 against the Cubs.

Anderson is a candidate to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Bowman stated that AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are also in the mix, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the club wait until closer to first pitch to announce who will get the start. Anderson hasn't pitched in the big league since 2022 but has impressive postseason numbers, as he's posted a 1.26 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with a 40:17 K:BB across 35.2 innings (eight starts).