Kerr throws three scoreless innings as opener

Burke was easily the White Sox’s most valuable starter this year, going 11-7 with a 3.34 ERA. He allowed three runs — two earned — over 16 1/3 innings in his final three regular-season appearances, which included two starts and one bulk outing.

The Marlins were ninth in the majors in OPS this year, but just 18th with 4.41 runs per game. Even so, that’s better than was expected going in, with Otto Lopez, the traded Liam Hicks, Javier Sanoja, Griffin Conine and Heriberto Hernández all greatly exceeding expectations. So, it’s a little surprising they’re moving on. Guerrero, 37, lasted just two seasons on the job. He was previously an assistant hitting coach with the Phillies and Giants.

That was his role before he was named hitting coach partway through the 2022 season. The Royals were 22nd in the majors in run scoring this year, even after bringing in the fences some at Kauffman Stadium.

Walker hit just .116/.197/.174 with more GIDPs (three) than extra-base hits (two) or RBI (two) in his final 20 games, so maybe the hip explains that. It doesn’t appear to be anything he’ll need surgery to address.

The move makes room for Joe Musgrove’s return to the roster. Duran’s injury wasn’t announced. He got into 39 games with the Padres in the middle of the season, hitting .146/.222/.305.

There’s been some speculation that the Astros might give Altuve some DH time in the series, with Yordan Alvarez playing left, but that’s not happening in Game 1. The lineup: SS Jeremy Peña, DH Alvarez, 3B Isaac Paredes, 2B Altuve, C Yainer Diaz, 1B Christian Walker, CF Lucas Spencer, RF Cam Smith, LF Taylor Trammell.

Montgomery, who spent more than half of the year batting cleanup or higher, had hit eighth a few times lately, but this is the first time he’s been at the very bottom of the lineup. The 24-year-old finished the year in a 4-for-62 slump with no homers and 34 strikeouts in his final 19 games. The White Sox lineup: LF Sam Antonacci, C Kyle Teel, 3B Miguel Vargas, 1B Munetaka Murakami, DH Andrew Benintendi, CF Tristan Peters, RF Braden Montgomery, 2B Chase Meidroth, SS Montgomery.

Meidroth didn’t start the final three games of the regular season because of hamstring discomfort, though he did see action off the bench Saturday.

Gelof was hurt while making a sliding catch in foul territory in left field when his knee made contact with metal railing, which was later covered by padding following the incident. He’s requesting compensatory damages over his lost time, medical expenses and physical pain.

Cornielle, who was called up Friday, gave up two runs in an inning in his one appearance for the Yankees. Working as a starter, he had a 3.39 ERA and an 89/45 K/BB in 85 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. If he clears waivers, he’ll eventually become a minor league free agent.