MLB Player News

Williams (2-8) allowed just one run on three hits (one home run) and three walks while striking out four across 5.2 innings Wednesday as he earned the win in his final start of 2020.

Williams came into Wednesday's start having given up the most earned runs in the league (37), the most home runs (14) and had lost more games (8) than any other pitcher in baseball. It originally looked like it would be another poor outing for the 28-year-old after he gave up a first-inning solo home run to Anthony Rizzo, but Williams settled in afterward and was able to hold the Cubs' hitters in check for the rest of his outing. This was a season to forget for Williams, who finishes with a 6.18 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB across 55.1 innings pitched.

Webb (3-4) picked up the win against the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out one batter across 5.1 innings.

The 23-year-old worked around a leadoff double allowed by Caleb Baragar in the second inning, finishing out the frame without any damage. His only blemishes on the night came from an RBI single he yielded to Trevor Story in the third and an RBI double he allowed to Raimel Tapia in the fifth. Otherwise, Webb was effective while working up to 84 pitches. The right-hander finishes out the regular season with a 5.50 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 13 appearances (11 starts).

Urias took a no-decision during Wednesday's loss to the A's, giving up one run on two hits and a pair of walks while striking out five across six innings.

Serving as the bulk reliever behind Joe Kelly and Brusdal Graterol, Urias entered the game in the third inning and turned in a solid six frames. His only damage of the night came via an RBI single by Ramon Laureano in the seventh. Although the southpaw's role for the postseason has yet to be determined, it would appear as though Dave Roberts could be planning to use him out of the bullpen during the playoffs. The 24-year-old closes out the regular season with a 3.27 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 11 appearances (10 starts).

Houser (1-6) was charged with four runs (three earned) on five hits over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Reds on Wednesday. He struck out five and issued one walk.

The long ball did Houser in; he gave up a two-run homer to Joey Votto in the first inning and a solo shot to Jesse Winker in the fourth. Houser had some hype coming into the season, but he ends his 2020 regular-season campaign with 1-6 record, 5.40 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 44:21 K:BB and .284 BAA in 55 innings. He may have to fight for a rotation spot in the spring.

Wacha (1-4) allowed four runs on six hits and struck out four in six innings in a loss to the Rays on Wednesday.

Homers by Joey Wendle and Randy Arozarena accounted for three of the four runs against Wacha, who was not particularly sharp Wednesday and has now been charged with a loss in each of his last four decisions. The 29-year-old righty has likely made his last appearance of the season -- if so, he finishes with an unsightly 6.62 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 34 innings and eight appearances.

Martinez exited Wednesday's start against the Royals with a left mid-back strain, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The veteran right-hander exited in line for the loss during the sixth inning after surrendering eight runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and two walks. It was a disastrous performance in potentially Martinez's final start of the regular season, and it was made worse by the injury. The 29-year-old lines up to pitch Monday against Detroit if those make-up games are deemed necessary, but his availability is up in the air with the severity of the back strain unclear.

Eflin (4-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Nationals after allowing three runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and one walk over eight innings.

The right-hander dominated Washington through eight innings and attempted to finish a complete game, but he gave up a single and a homer before getting pulled. It's was still a strong performance for Eflin in what will be his final start of the regular season, though he could still be used out of the bullpen this weekend, if necessary. He has a 4.15 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 70:14 K:BB through 56.1 innings.

Clevinger was removed after one inning Wednesday against the Angels due to biceps tightness, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 29-year-old had Saturday's start pushed back due to biceps tightness but appeared to be clear of the issue after throwing a bullpen session Monday. However, he told manager Jayce Tingler the issue resurfaced after his first inning Wednesday. Clevinger is undergoing an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, while his status for the playoffs is now in heavy doubt.

Fried made a precautionary exit from Wednesday's start against the Marlins after tweaking his ankle, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

The 26-year-old suffered the injury while fielding a bunt during the first inning, and he headed to the clubhouse after completing the frame. He also allowed a pair of solo homers. It's no surprise the Braves are exercising caution with the playoffs starting next week, but it's not ideal for Fried to be leaving his final start of the regular season with an injury, even if they are labeling the removal as precautionary.

Urias won't start Wednesday against the Athletics but will pitch in a bulk role as a reliever, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Joe Kelly will start in Urias' place Wednesday as manager Dave Roberts wants to try him out of the bullpen in preparation for the postseason, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. Urias' role for the postseason hasn't yet been defined, but Roberts' desire to test him as a reliever suggests that he could work as a reliever during the playoffs.