The Houston Astros have designated reliever Tayler Scott for assignment, a surprising move given his strong performance last season with a 2.23 ERA over 62 appearances. Scott was expected to contribute again this year but struggled early on with a 5.40 ERA in 17 outings. The decision to DFA Scott creates roster space for Colton Gordon, who will make his major league debut against the Royals. Scott's departure leaves the Astros with a mix of left-handed and right-handed options in the bullpen as they navigate a busy schedule.

Lance McCullers Jr. made a significant return to the mound after a 915-day hiatus, successfully completing 3 ⅔ scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox. This marked his first start since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series and was instrumental for the Houston Astros, who maintained their lead throughout his outing. McCullers faced some challenges, allowing three hits and walking three batters, yet he struck out four and managed to escape tight spots without surrendering a run. His pitch count reached 87, demonstrating a careful approach to his comeback from surgery to repair a flexor tendon.

In a game that tested his endurance, McCullers maintained a focus on using his breaking pitches, notably throwing 17 sliders and 16 curveballs. Notably, his sinker averaged 91.8 mph, slightly lower than his previous season's average. Despite some shaky moments, like loading the bases in the second inning, his ability to induce pop-ups and strikeouts showcased a resilient performance. His exit came after a walk to Joshua Palacios, ensuring the Astros remained in control as reliever Tayler Scott entered to close out the inning.

Roki Sasaki finally secured his first major league win with the Los Angeles Dodgers, dominating the Atlanta Braves in a 10-3 victory. Sasaki faced a three-hour rain delay before entering the game, which helped him settle into his routine. Although he struggled with his fastball control, he managed to escape a shaky first inning without conceding any runs, ultimately striking out four batters throughout the game.

With solid support from teammates like Shohei Ohtani, who hit a home run, and contributions from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers maintained a strong offensive presence. Sasaki's journey continues as he acknowledges the need to refine his pitching, especially his fastball, but his first win marks an important milestone in his career.

The Houston Astros face a pivotal offseason following their unexpected exit from the ALCS, leading to potential payroll cuts and tough roster decisions.

Star player Alex Bregman is set to hit free agency, raising concerns about his future with the team. In-house options like Shay Whitcomb and Zach Dezenzo could step up if he departs.

The Astros also need to bolster their bullpen, with potential trade interest in Jason Adam from the San Diego Padres, who has shown exceptional performance recently.

The Houston Astros are focusing on offseason needs, particularly addressing first base and their rotation. Former closer Ryan Pressly has emerged as a trade candidate after losing his role to Josh Hader. Despite a decline in saves, Pressly's strong performance metrics suggest he remains a valuable asset for teams seeking a reliable reliever.

With his impending free agency and 10-to-5 rights complicating potential trades, the Astros face tough decisions that could reshape their roster, especially concerning stars like Alex Bregman and Pressly.