MLB Player News

Fried (ankle) received full medical clearance Sunday and will take the hill Wednesday in Game 1 of the Braves' wild-card series against the Reds, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Just as Braves general manager Alex Anthopolous predicated days earlier, Fried was able to complete his between-starts throwing session without incident, leaving him available to start Atlanta's postseason opener. Fried was the top pitcher in an Atlanta rotation that struggled both from a health and performance standpoint in 2020. He finished the regular season with a 2.25 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB across 56 innings.

Liberatore enjoyed a strong summer at the team's alternate training site in Springfield and could be a contender for a spot in the 2021 rotation or bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw came over in a trade with the Rays last winter with a high pedigree, as he was a first-round pick in the 2018 first-year player draft. Liberatore posted 6-2 record and 3.10 ERA at Low-A Bowling Green in 2019, and despite his lack of experience in the upper minors, he's apparently positioned himself for a big leap in competition in 2021. The 20-year-old figures to get a long look in spring training, and he appears to have a good chance of logging his first big-league action at some point in 2021 even if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster.

Freeland (2-3) took the loss Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks across 2.1 innings. He struck out two.

Freeland was fortunate to allow just a pair of runs in the first after allowing three hits and a walk to the first four Arizona hitters. He temporarily settled down to toss a scoreless second but completely unraveled in the third. A Ketel Marte walk and Kole Calhoun homer made it 4-0 before three more hits and a fielding miscue chased the southpaw with one out in the third. Freeland concludes the campaign with a 4.33 ERA and 1.42 WHIP to go along with a 46:23 K:BB across 70.2 innings pitched.

Gray allowed two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Twins on Sunday.

A right mid-back strain derailed Gray's season earlier this month, but he's been a full go since his return and seems close to full strength again heading into the postseason. The right-hander has allowed three runs with a 12:5 K:BB in two starts since his return (10.1 innings). Overall, Gray turned in a 5-3 record, 3.70 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 72:26 K:BB in 56 regular-season innings. He lines up for a potential Game 3 against Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs.

Smyly (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over five innings Sunday, striking out 10 and taking the loss against the Padres.

Smyly was strong Sunday, but the Giants offense didn't provide much help. He coughed up a solo shot to Wil Myers in the second inning and an RBI double in the fourth to Mitch Moreland. Despite taking the loss, he struck out a season-high 10 batters and lowered his season ERA to 2.78 in 22.2 innings.

Lugo (3-4) allowed six runs on five hits and two walks across 1.2 innings Sunday, striking out one and taking the loss against the Nationals.

Despite the Mets scoring three runs in the first two innings, Lugo coughed up five runs through 1.2 innings and was tagged with another run after he left the contest. The poor outing shot his season ERA from 3.82 to 5.15 across 36.2 innings this season. Lugo also finished the season with a solid 47:10 K:BB.

Nola (5-5) took the loss Sunday against the Rays, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks across 3.2 innings. He fanned six.

Nola was called upon to keep the Phillies' playoff chances alive on the season's final day and the right-hander struggled under the intense circumstances. After striking out a pair in a clean first inning, the Rays got to Nola for a run in the second. The 27-year-old bounced back to strike out the first two batters he faced in the third but then allowed a walk and three hits to get tagged with two more runs. He was pulled after issuing two walks in the fourth. Despite the disappointing finish to his campaign, Nola ends the year with 96 punch outs and a solid 3.28 ERA.

Lorenzen has found a niche in long relief and occasional spot starts, including a 3.1-inning outing Friday against the Twins in which he earned the win. He finished the regular season with mediocre ratios (4.28 ERA, 1.40 WHIP), though most of the damage came in the first few weeks of the campaign.

He'll continue in a relief role in the first round of the playoffs against the Braves, as the Reds will be able to run out their top three starters in Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray for the three-game series.

Brubaker gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus Cleveland on Sunday.

Brubaker wasn't great in his final start of 2020, getting into trouble in both the fifth and sixth innings before Geoff Hartlieb relieved him. The 26-year-old Brubaker ends the campaign with a 4.94 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 48 strikeouts across 47.1 innings.

Gomber allowed a run on one hit and two walks and struck out three over four innings in a no-decision versus the Brewers on Sunday.

Gomber turned in another solid start, although he needed 75 pitches (47 strikes) to get through his four innings. The southpaw's performance helped the Cardinals earn a postseason berth. Gomber ends the regular season with a 1.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 27 strikeouts over 29 innings across 14 appearances (four starts). If he makes the playoff roster, he'll most likely work as a reliever capable of handling multi-inning assignments.