MLB Player News

Gomber (2-6) took the loss against Atlanta on Thursday, allowing nine runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.

Gomber got out of the first inning allowing only a walk, but Atlanta got to him for four runs over the next two frames. He hurled a scoreless fourth before serving up a grand slam to Travis d'Arnaud in the fifth that sealed his fate. Gomber recently had a promising month-long run, tossing five quality starts across six appearances between April 23 and May 22. His past two outings have been disastrous, however, as he's allowed a combined 17 runs over 6.1 innings. That has pushed his season ERA up to 6.54 and removed him from fantasy consideration in almost every format. Gomber is slated to take the mound in San Francisco next week.

Liberatore was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Liberatore made his third major-league start Thursday against the Cubs and allowed four runs in 3.1 innings to take the loss. The southpaw has had an inconsistent start to his big-league career with a 5.54 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 13 innings over three outings. However, the 22-year-old remains one of the Cardinals' top prospects, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him rejoin the major-league club at some point. Liberatore's demotion could signal that Steven Matz (shoulder) will be ready to rejoin the rotation next week.

Anderson (4-3) earned the win over Colorado on Thursday, pitching six innings and allowing five runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out nine.

This was far from Anderson's finest performance, but the right-hander hung around for 104 pitches in hitter-friendly Coors Field to pick up his first victory since May 4. He struck out a season-high nine batters and induced 15 swings-and-misses but gave up four runs over his final two frames. Anderson will carry a 4.70 ERA into his next start, which is expected to come at home against Oakland next week.

Liberatore (1-1) took the loss against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one batter over 3.1 innings.

The rookie left-hander had trouble with both his control and command in his third big-league outing, throwing only 42 of 80 pitches for strikes and serving up five extra-base hits -- including three home runs. Liberatore notched only one strikeout and was chased after falling behind 4-2 in the fourth inning. He did well in his previous start, pitching five scoreless frames against Milwaukee, but has struggled in his other two appearances with the big club this season. It's unclear if he'll stick in the rotation once injured hurlers Steven Matz (shoulder), Jordan Hicks (forearm) and -- a bit further off -- Jack Flaherty (shoulder) return.

Oviedo was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Oviedo failed to earn a spot on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster this year, but he's been working as a starter in Memphis and has posted a 5.58 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 50 innings over 10 starts. He's served mainly as a starter in the majors and seems like a candidate to draw a start in one of the two games during Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Heaney (shoulder) will report to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday to begin a rehab assignment, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Heaney has been sidelined by a shoulder injury since mid-April but is now in the final stages of his rehab program. The left-hander may require one or two additional rehab outings before returning to the major-league rotation, so he could be back with the Dodgers in mid-June.

Houser did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over five innings against San Diego. He struck out five.

Houser bounced back with his third one-run outing over his last four games after giving up eight runs to the Cardinals in his last start. The right-hander continues to struggle with his command and has walked multiple batters seven times this season, including at least three walks five times. Across 10 starts, Houser sports a 3.51 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP with 41 strikeouts through 51.1 innings.

Megill (biceps) will have another throwing session Friday, and if his arm feels good the following day the Mets will clear him to begin a rehab assignment, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The right-hander is expected to head to Single-A Brooklyn initially, but as yet there's no indication how long the rehab assignment might last. Megill last pitched May 11, surrendering eight runs in only 1.1 innings, but until that outing the 26-year-old boasted a 2.43 ERA and 0.90 WHIP to begin the season.

DeGrom (shoulder) remained behind in New York for the Mets' current road trip, but he could begin throwing off a mound before the team returns home June 14, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The right-hander is currently still throwing off flat ground as the Mets proceed very cautiously with his recovery from a stress reaction in his right scapula. There had originally been plans for deGrom to accompany the team on its 11-day west coast swing, but pitching coach Jeremy Hefner determined he wouldn't be able to give the 33-year-old's rehab the attention it deserved during the trip. "The right decision is, it's better for [deGrom] to get his work done there," manager Buck Showalter said Thursday. "Just a lot better equipped and manpower and the things that are going on that he needs to get done." Showalter indicated Thursday that deGrom could be ready to do mound work before the Mets got back to Queens, but his eventual return to the big-league rotation remains far off.

Ashcraft (2-0) earned the victory, striking out five in seven innings while allowing a run on four hits and a walk in an 8-1 win Thursday over Washington.

Ashcraft was a groundball machine Tuesday, getting 14 groundouts as he dominated the Nationals' lineup. Josh Bell's seventh-inning solo homer was the only blemish for the 24-year-old. He has stifled opposing lineups over his first three starts and has a 1.53 ERA to show for it. After striking out more than a batter an inning across three minor-league seasons, the rookie has fanned only nine batters in his first 17.2 major-league frames. His next start will likely come in the middle of next week against Arizona.