MLB Player News

Ashcraft (5-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing seven runs on four hits and five walks over 5.1 innings against the Cubs. He struck out four.

After beginning the game with a 1-2-3 first inning, Ashcraft ran into trouble in the second, allowing three consecutive batters to reach base before giving up a three-run homer to David Bote. The right-hander mostly cruised through the next three innings before allowing four of the first five batters to reach base in the sixth and eventually being charged with four more runs. Ashcraft allowed four or more runs in each of his final three starts to go along with seven walks and seven strikeouts.

Oviedo pitched four innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out one in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals. He did not factor into the decision.

Oviedo struggled early Wednesday, allowing two runs to score in the first inning, one of which was unearned as a result of a throwing error. He later surrendered another run in the third frame on a Nolan Arenado RBI single, accounting for the final run on his line. The performance marked the fifth consecutive outing where he allowed three or fewer runs, finishing the season with a 3.21 ERA and 1.29 WHIP while striking out 54 batters over 56 innings in 21 appearances, including eight starts.

Liberatore (2-2) was tagged with loss after he pitched five innings, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out Wednesday versus the Pirates.

The left-hander struggled Wednesday after being recalled from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day to make the spot start. Liberatore held the Pirates off the board for the first two frames before Rodolfo Castro ripped an RBI single in the third inning. He proceeded to surrender four runs in the following frame, raising the damage to five runs on the day. Liberatore will finish the campaign having made nine appearances, including seven starts with the Cardinals, posting a 5.97 ERA and 1.73 WHIP with 28 strikeouts over 34.2 innings.

Williams is no longer starting Wednesday against the Nationals after Mychal Givens (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list to serve as the starter, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets haven't given any indication that Williams is unavailable Wednesday, so it seems likely that he'll be an option to serve as a bulk reliever behind Givens against Washington. Williams allowed at least one run in each of his six appearances in September, posting a 5.14 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 14 innings over that stretch.

Megill was placed on the injured list for an undisclosed reason Wednesday.

The Mets didn't provide a reason for placing Megill on the injured list, suggesting that he's on the COVID-19 IL. Assuming that's the case, the right-hander will be eligible to return as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be back in time for the upcoming NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, which begins Friday.

The Padres placed Clevinger on the injured list Wednesday with an illness.

San Diego didn't specify whether Clevinger was moved to the 15-day injured list or the COVID-19-related IL. If it's the latter, Clevinger would be eligible to return for the Padres' wild-card round series with the Mets, though it's unclear if he would have been included in the team's playoff rotation even if he hadn't fallen ill. Clevinger had been on track to start Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Giants, but that assignment will instead go to Craig Stammen. The 31-year-old righty will finish the regular season with a 7-7 record, 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 91:35 K:BB over 114.1 innings.

Clevinger won't start Wednesday's game against the Giants as initially planned, with the Padres instead having Craig Stammen take the hill for the regular-season finale, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Considering Stammen hasn't covered more than two innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, he'll likely be serving as more of an opener than a traditional starter. The Padres haven't indicated that Clevinger will be available as a bulk reliever or if the team will rely on a cadre of bullpen arms to cover the remaining innings once Stammen exits.

Falter is expected to throw only one inning in his start Wednesday in Houston, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies won't have room in the rotation for Falter during the wild-card round, so he'll be making a start Wednesday that simulates what a relief appearance would look like for him in the postseason. Philadelphia called up Michael Plassmeyer from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier in the day and could turn to him in bulk relief behind Falter.

Williams is listed as the Mets' starting pitcher Wednesday against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Ace Jacob deGrom (finger) would have been in line to start the regular-season finale if the National League East title was at stake, but Atlanta officially clinched the division crown with a win Tuesday over the Marlins. As a result, the Mets will save deGrom for Game 1 of their wild-card round series with the Padres on Friday and instead have Williams eat innings in what will essentially be a bullpen day Wednesday. Williams hasn't made a relief appearance since Sept. 27 and should be capable of providing the Mets with a decent amount of length.

The Cardinals recalled Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis and will have him start Wednesday's regular-season finale in Pittsburgh, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

With their wild-card round series with the Phillies set to begin Friday, the Cardinals are likely to steer away from most of their key arms Wednesday to ensure optimal health in advance of the postseason. As a result, Liberatore will slot back into the rotation for what will be his ninth appearance and seventh start in the big leagues. Over 29.2 innings with the Cardinals, Liberatore has gone 2-1 with a 5.46 ERA and 1.69 WHIP.