Blake Snell (groin) to start Saturday vs. Giants

Seager was limited to 102 games this year, but the elbow never kept him out. Still, it might have had something to do with his career worst .227/.312/.424 line. Seager could have surgery and still be ready in plenty of time for spring training.

There was little doubt Blubaugh would pitch tomorrow, but it’s a little surprising to see him get the ball first, just because that never happened all year. He led the majors with 96 relief innings, finishing with a 3.66 ERA in his 64 appearances. He’s been used in shorter stints lately than he was early on, so the Astros would be pushing it if they asked for more than two innings from him. The only two times he completed three innings both took place in May.

Thomas, trying to make his way back from an intercostal strain, resumed hitting last week and was seen running in the outfield today. Still, he won’t be activated prior to the NLDS.

Hampton was previously claimed off waivers from the Yankees a couple of weeks ago. He was regarded as one of that team’s top prospects before undergoing Tommy John surgery in Feb. 2025. He returned to the mound in May, but he struggled mightily in posting an 8.18 ERA in 55 innings, which is why he’s bouncing around like this.

The versatile Wade, 31, debuted in 2017 and spent parts of nine years in the majors with the Yankees, Angels, A’s and Padres, hitting .216/.294/.284 with seven homers and 51 steals in 992 plate appearances. He was with the Rangers this spring, but he failed to make the team, and he never signed with another club after being released in mid-April.

This is not a major surprise after Arraez sprained his ankle just this week. Phillies manager Don Mattingly said, “We still get improvement every day, but not enough. He was going to try to hit today and just wasn’t able to do it. So, we kind of crossed that bridge today.” There’s a chance that Arraez will be able to return for the NLDS, but, for now, Triple-A Lehigh Valley utility player Otto Kemp will take Arraez’s place on the roster. The Phillies figure to move Bryson Stott back to second base, but it remains to be seen if they move Alec Bohm back to third and Bryce Harper to first or if they just insert Edmundo Sosa into the lineup at third base.

Elder had knee surgery in early September and began throwing off the mound again on the 19th. He had previously stated that he planned to return for the postseason, but it remains to be seen if the Braves feel they need him for the Wild Card series or would wait until the Divisional round before thinking of activating him.

Burnes was placed on the injured list at the end of the season, but claims he has suffered no new injury. The 31-year-old returned to pitch just 10 1/3 innings this season, allowing nine runs on 12 hits while striking out eight and walking four. With the Diamondbacks being in the thick of the playoff hunt, it seems that Burnes may have been rushed back a bit sooner than was ideal in order to try and help the team. Let’s hope he truly is just in need of some extra rest.

Luzardo was activated from the IL on Sunday after missing two weeks with shoulder inflammation. He threw one inning of relief in the final game of the regular season, so he will not be built up long enough to pitch deep into this game. He’ll go as long as possible, and then the Phillies will turn things over to Andrew Painter.

Hunter Brown, the team’s ace, last pitched on September 25, so he would be on three days’ rest if he pitched on Tuesday. The Astros are likely going to have him start Game 2. Peter Lambert just pitched Sunday, and Hayden Wesneski threw seven innings Saturday. As a result, it will probably be AJ Blubaugh for bulk innings on Tuesday before the Astros can turn things over to their starting rotation.