Astros Leave Verlander Off Roster, Include Injured Alvarez \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Houston Astros left Justin Verlander off their AL Wild Card Series roster against Detroit due to struggles following his return from injury. Yordan Alvarez, who missed the end of the regular season with a knee sprain, was included. Multiple teams announced their rosters, with notable injuries affecting key players like Chris Sale for Atlanta and Kenta Maeda for Detroit.
MLB Wild Card Roster Changes: Quick Looks
- Astros Roster: Justin Verlander left off the roster due to struggles; Yordan Alvarez included.
- Astros’ Verlander Status: Verlander could still make the roster if the Astros advance.
- Chris Sale Not Available: Atlanta Braves left Chris Sale off their Wild Card roster.
- Royals’ Pasquantino Returns: Vinnie Pasquantino returns from injury for Kansas City.
- Frelick In for Brewers: Sal Frelick makes Milwaukee roster after a collision injury.
- Mets Roster Update: Tylor Megill left off, Max Kranick included for pitching depth.
Deep Look
The Houston Astros made notable roster changes for their American League (AL) Wild Card Series against Detroit, choosing to leave off their three-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher, Justin Verlander. Despite his legendary status, the decision came as Verlander struggled following a neck injury that kept him sidelined for almost two months during the summer. The 41-year-old right-hander returned in September but posted a 2-2 record with a 9.26 ERA in five starts, which raised concerns about his effectiveness in high-stakes postseason play.
Astros manager Joe Espada described Verlander as professional when he was informed about the decision, emphasizing that Verlander could still be added to the roster if the Astros advance to later rounds. “JV understands how well some of our starters have performed, some of our young guys, and he threw the ball really well against Cleveland,” Espada said. Verlander’s most recent appearance came last Saturday, when he allowed three runs over six innings against the Cleveland Guardians.
Meanwhile, the Astros did include Yordan Alvarez, despite the slugger being sidelined since September 22 due to a right knee sprain. Alvarez, a powerful left-handed hitter, has been crucial to Houston’s offensive success, especially in the postseason, where he holds a career .295 batting average with 12 home runs and a .949 OPS in 58 games. His inclusion as the designated hitter on Tuesday shows Houston’s hope that Alvarez can make a significant impact, even if he is not yet at full strength.
In another surprising move, the Astros included outfielder Chas McCormick on their roster after he recovered from a small fracture in his right hand sustained on September 10. McCormick has been an important player for Houston this season, and his availability could provide the team with a much-needed boost in the outfield.
Chris Sale Left Off Braves Roster
For the Atlanta Braves, the absence of left-handed ace Chris Sale was expected, but still significant. Sale, who was considered a National League (NL) Cy Young Award contender, was left off the roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres after being scratched from a late game in Monday’s doubleheader against the New York Mets due to back spasms. Braves officials indicated that Sale would not be available until at least the Division Series if the team advances.
The Braves also made adjustments following Monday’s games, excluding starters Spencer Schwellenbach and Grant Holmes, both of whom pitched during the doubleheader against the Mets. However, starters AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder were included, providing additional depth for the Wild Card matchup.
Pasquantino Returns to Royals Roster
The Kansas City Royals are welcoming back first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino for their AL Wild Card Series against Baltimore. Pasquantino has been on the injured list since August 29 after breaking his right thumb but has been cleared to return as a designated hitter. Royals manager Matt Quatraro made it clear that Pasquantino would not be available to play first base due to his injury, but he will be an option to bat against the Orioles. Pasquantino had a productive regular season, batting .262 with 19 home runs and 97 RBIs, and his return could give Kansas City a much-needed offensive boost.
Baltimore’s roster for the series includes right-handed reliever Colin Selby, who has seen limited action this season, appearing in just five games—three for the Orioles and two for the Royals. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde explained the decision, noting Selby’s impressive performances and strong stuff, including a 97 mph fastball and a reliable slider. “He’s got a 97-mile-an-hour fastball, really good slider,” Hyde said. Selby was selected over right-hander Matt Bowman, while starting pitcher Albert Suárez was also left off the roster.
Frelick Makes Brewers Roster Despite Injury
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick was named to the National League (NL) Wild Card roster after a recent injury scare. Frelick suffered a bruised hip after colliding with the right-field wall during a game last Friday. He was seen using a crutch on Saturday but was determined to make a quick recovery, telling reporters on Monday, “I’ll be ready to go.” Frelick’s dedication paid off as he was cleared in time to contribute in the series against the New York Mets.
The Brewers were proactive in improving safety at American Family Field after Frelick’s collision. Milwaukee installed new padding to the section of the wall that Frelick hit, ensuring additional protection for players. The Wild Card roster for Milwaukee did not include left-handers Bryan Hudson or Hoby Milner. Hudson, who had an impressive 6-1 record with a 1.73 ERA in 43 appearances, was sent to the minors in early September. Meanwhile, Milner, who went 5-1 with a 4.73 ERA in 61 games, was also left off the roster.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy noted that the decision to exclude these left-handers was based on matchup considerations against the Mets. “The Mets are a great offensive lineup, but they don’t feature as many left-handed pockets for us,” Murphy explained. He added that they still had left-handers available for key moments if necessary, but the roster choices were based on what worked best for this particular series.
Mets Reach into Farm System for Pitching Depth
The New York Mets left right-hander Tylor Megill off their roster for the Wild Card Series against Milwaukee after he threw 100 pitches in his start on Monday. Instead, the Mets opted for right-hander Max Kranick, who last pitched in the major leagues in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kranick had been dealing with injuries earlier this year, including a hamstring strain, and was removed from the Mets’ 40-man roster in May. However, his recent performance in the minors, where he went 2-2 with a 3.82 ERA in 45 appearances, impressed the team enough to earn him a spot.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza explained the decision to include Kranick, citing his increased velocity after moving to the bullpen and his ability to provide multiple innings of relief. “He was dealing with injuries at the beginning of the year, and then we put him in the bullpen, and the velo went up,” Mendoza said. The Mets wanted someone who could offer depth in the bullpen, especially with Megill unavailable after his extended outing.
Kenta Maeda Left Off Tigers Roster
Right-hander Kenta Maeda was left off the Detroit Tigers’ Wild Card Series roster after throwing 89 pitches on Sunday. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Maeda’s contributions in his recent start were valuable in resting the core group of relievers. “His contribution for this first series came in a bunch of pitches that we left him out there for on Sunday to allow us to give rest to the bigger group of relievers that we have,” Hinch noted. The Tigers, like other teams, are making calculated decisions to optimize their roster for the series.
As the MLB Wild Card Series continues, each team is navigating injuries, strategy, and tough choices in assembling rosters that will give them the best chance to advance. From veteran stars like Justin Verlander being left out to rising players like Sal Frelick and Vinnie Pasquantino battling back from injury, the postseason picture is already full of surprises and storylines to watch.
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