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Matthew Liberatore SP | STL
Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Not on wild-card roster
Liberatore was not selected for the Cardinals' 26-man wild-card roster.
Liberatore was called to start Wednesday's regular season finale versus the Pirates, but the left-hander won't be a part of the Cardinals' postseason roster. The 22-year-old produced a 5.97 ERA and 1.73 WHIP with 28 strikeouts over 34.2 innings in nine appearances, including seven starts, in the regular season.
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Taijuan Walker SP | LAA
Mets' Taijuan Walker: Won't pitch in wild-card round
Walker wasn't included on the Mets' roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Friday, Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports reports.
The veteran right-hander made his final start of the regular season during Tuesday's twin bill and delivered 4.1 scoreless frames, but he won't be needed during the series versus San Diego, which will be at most three games. Walker could factor into the Mets' rotation should the team advance to the NLDS, but for now Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom (blister) and Chris Bassitt line up as the starting pitchers.
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Tylor Megill SP | NYM
Mets' Tylor Megill: Returns from injured list
Megill (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday and was included on the Mets' roster for the NL Wild Card series against the Padres, Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports reports.
Megill landed on the COVID-19 IL on Wednesday but quickly cleared the necessary protocols and is back on the active roster. The 27-year-old had a 5.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 51:13 K:BB over 47.1 innings this year and is likely to be a low-leverage option out of the bullpen this weekend.
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Dustin May SP | MIL
Dodgers' Dustin May: Likely to make NLDS roster
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects May (back) to be on the NLDS roster, though it's not yet determined what the right-hander's role and availability will be, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
May was placed on the 15-day injured list due to lower-back tightness Sept. 24, but he was able to toss two simulated innings Wednesday and will throw another sim game Sunday, per MLB.com. Assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks, May is expected to be on the NLDS roster, though he's not expected to work as a starter. The right-hander logged only 30 innings this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2021.
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Blake Snell SP | LAD
Padres' Blake Snell: Starting Game 2
Snell will start Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series on Saturday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Yu Darvish is getting the starting nod for Friday's series opener, and Snell will draw the Game 2 start over Joe Musgrove, who is a likely candidate to start Game 3 if needed. Snell was dominant over his final four regular-season starts, posting a 0.72 ERA, 32:6 K:BB and 0.64 WHIP in 25 innings over that stretch. He last pitched Sunday, so he'll be fully rested for Saturday's matchup.
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Mike Clevinger RP | PIT
Padres' Mike Clevinger: Traveling to New York
Clevinger (illness) tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday and is traveling to New York to join the Padres ahead of Friday's wild-card game against the Mets, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
Clevinger was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, but he should be in the mix to be on the Padres' postseason roster now that he's tested negative. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander will be part of the team's playoff rotation, but he'll at least be an option to pitch as long as he continues to test negative.
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Miles Mikolas RP | WAS
Cardinals' Miles Mikolas: Taking ball in Game 2
Manager Oliver Marmol announced Mikolas as the starter for Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series versus Philadelphia on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
The veteran right-hander allowed a run over three frames in his final outing of the regular season Monday, and he'll follow Game 1 starter Jose Quintana in the rotation to begin the playoffs for St. Louis. Mikolas threw a career-high 202.1 innings this year and finished with a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 153:39 K:BB.
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Jose Quintana SP | COL
Cardinals' Jose Quintana: Tabbed to start Game 1
Manager Oliver Marmol announced Quintana as the Cardinals' starter for Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
The veteran left-hander made his final start of the regular season Monday in Pittsburgh and delivered three scoreless innings, and he'll be St. Louis' opening starter for the postseason. Quintana was acquired from the Pirates at the trade deadline and posted a 2.01 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 48:16 K:BB in 62.2 innings across 12 starts for the Cardinals.
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Corbin Burnes SP | ARI
Brewers' Corbin Burnes: Throws three scoreless innings
Burnes did not factor into the decision Wednesday and did not allow a baserunner with five strikeouts over three innings against Arizona.
Burnes finished 2022 without allowing a run in back-to-back outings; however, his final 13 starts were not up to his usual standard as he allowed at least four earned runs on five occasions. The right-hander followed up his 2021 NL Cy Young Award with a 2.94 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 243:51 K:BB in 202 innings, with the strikeouts and innings totals representing career highs.
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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Quality start in Milwaukee
Kelly did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings in a 4-2 victory over the Brewers. He struck out seven.
Kelly allowed only one extra-base hit in the form of a double from Victor Caratini and allowed his only run on an RBI groundout to tie the game in the fifth inning. The righty had struggled in the seven starts prior to this one, posting a 5.32 ERA over 44 innings. Still, it was a strong season for the 33-year-old, who finished with a 3.37 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 177:61 K:BB across 200.1 innings.