MLB Player News

Ashcraft will undergo season-ending surgery on his right big toe Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft landed on the injured list earlier this month and hoped to pitch again, but surgery obviates a return in 2023. The Reds move forward with just one pitcher from the Opening Day rotation -- Hunter Greene -- and three rookies. Ben Lively, who battled through a pectoral injury and recently returned from the COVID-19-related injured list, is also projected to start games.

Megill (8-8) took the loss Saturday as the Mets fell 3-2 to the Reds, giving up three runs (two earned) on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander came one out short of his fifth quality start of the season, tossing 56 of 97 pitches for strikes in a solid effort, but New York wasn't able to supply Megill with much run support. He's allowed three runs or less in six straight starts with a 3.13 ERA, but his 1.55 WHIP and 28:15 K:BB through 31.2 innings over that stretch suggest he still has some work to do to lock down a rotation spot for 2024. Megill's next outing lines up for a road series next weekend in Philadelphia.

Abbott came away with a no-decision Saturday in the Reds' 3-2 win over the Mets, giving up two runs on six hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out five.

The rookie southpaw tossed an inefficient 91 pitches (54 strikes) before getting the hook after serving up a pair of doubles in the bottom of the fourth inning, missing out on his ninth win of the season in the process. Abbott has failed to complete more than four innings in four of his last five starts, stumbling to a 6.33 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB through 21.1 innings over that stretch, but the Reds don't have any better rotation options as they try to hang onto a wild-card spot in the NL. He lines up to take the mound next at home against the Pirates next weekend.

Mikolas (7-12) took the loss against Philadelphia on Saturday, allowing five runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out two batters over six innings.

Mikolas hung tough through four frames and trailed just 2-1 entering the fifth. However, Kyle Schwarber tagged him for a three-run blast in that inning to mar the veteran right-hander's final line. Mikolas rarely helps himself with punchouts -- he's notched exactly two in each of his past four starts -- so he largely has to rely on good control and keeping the ball in the park. The latter hasn't been a strong suit of his of late, as Mikolas has given up six homers over his past three starts -- one more than he had surrendered over his previous eight outings combined.

Suarez (3-6) earned the win over St. Louis on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and four walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Suarez had shaky control in the outing, throwing just 63 of 106 pitches for strikes and tying a season high with four walks. However, he was able to mostly navigate around trouble, leaving the bases loaded in the third inning before retiring 10 of the final 12 batters he faced. This was Suarez's first win in three starts since returning from a hamstring injury Sept. 1, and he's posted a 3.31 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB over 16.1 innings during that stretch.

Williams allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one batter over two innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Saturday.

Williams was ambushed from the outset, allowing six of the first seven batters he faced in the contest to reach base, with the only out during that span coming by way of a sacrifice fly. That led to three runs, though it could have been much worse, as the Brewers finished the inning with the bases loaded. Williams was better in the second, facing the minimum three batters thanks to an inning-ending double play, but he didn't return to the mound for the third after tossing 70 pitches. It's been a rough go for the right-hander of late, as he's surrendered a whopping 18 runs (17 earned) over 10.1 frames across his past three starts.

Burnes allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out nine batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Washington on Saturday.

Burnes sprained his ankle in his previous start Sunday against the Yankees but was able to take the mound six days later without restrictions. He allowed just one run and held a 5-1 lead through five frames but couldn't get out of the sixth, yielding five straight baserunners that resulted in three runs with two outs. Aside from his final frame, Burnes looked very strong, racking up 15 swinging strikes and nine punchouts. He's posted a respectable 3.69 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 65:21 K:BB across 63.1 frames over his past 10 starts but hasn't earned a win during that stretch.

Kershaw allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Saturday.

Kershaw was coming off of having his turn skipped due to a left shoulder issue. He ended up working a short start, throwing 56 pitches (34 strikes) before turning the ball over to Emmet Sheehan, who followed up with three more scoreless innings. Kershaw has dealt with the shoulder troubles throughout the second half of the campaign, and with the Dodgers clinching the NL West on Saturday, he may be given additional time off before the playoffs. He's pitched to a 2.52 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 127:36 K:BB through 121.1 innings over 22 starts this season, matching the number of appearances he's made in each of the previous two campaigns. He's tentatively projected for a home outing against the Giants his next time out.

Freeland injured his oblique during Saturday's start in Game 2 of a doubleheader against San Francisco and is unlikely to pitch again in 2023, per MLB.com.

Freeland initially felt pain in the second inning but finished out that frame and one more before exiting. He allowed a run on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter prior to his departure. The veteran hurler acknowledged after the contest that his season is likely over, saying, "It's the right move to get me out and get healthy through the rest of the season, and go into the offseason healthy." If Freeland has indeed thrown his last pitch of 2023, he'll finish with a 6-14 record, 5.03 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 94:42 K:BB over 155.2 innings. He's signed with Colorado through 2026.

Hendricks allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Hendricks has pitched into the sixth inning without completing it in three straight starts. He's allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 16.1 innings in that span, though he's also recorded a 12:2 K:BB in September. The right-hander has continued to provide decent but not outstanding work this year, posting a 3.77 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 86:22 K:BB through 126.2 innings across 22 starts. He's lined up for a home start versus the Rockies in his next outing.