MLB Player News

Wacha didn't factor into the decision against the Pirates on Saturday and pitched poorly during his brief time on the mound, giving up three earned runs on two hits and a walk over an inning. He also recorded a strikeout.

The veteran right-hander was on a short leash given the importance of the game for the Cardinals. He threw 29 pitches in a first inning that saw him give up a three-run blast to Jung-Ho Kang, putting St. Louis in an early hole that they eventually recovered from. Wacha wraps up an injury-riddled 2016 regular season with a 7-7 record, along with a bloated 1.48 WHIP and 5.09 ERA that both represent career worsts.

Syndergaard will not make another start during the regular season, as the Mets were able to clinch the top wild-card spot in the National League with Saturday's win, allowing them to save their ace for the wild-card game.

He was lined up to start Sunday, if it was a must-win game, but now the Mets can save Syndergaard for the postseason. His owners in single-season leagues can cut bait now. It is unclear who will take the ball Sunday in his stead.

Hendricks will be capped at five innings Sunday in his final start of the regular season, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs, with nothing to play for besides pride Sunday, will be cautious and limit Hendricks' workload in his final regular-season tuneup. Hendricks brought his season ERA under 2.00 with six shutout innings against the Pirates his last time out and appears primed to start Game 2 of the NLDS.

Williams gave up four runs (three earned) on three hits Friday, retiring just one batter against the Cardinals.

His small sample size includes 11 earned runs on 18 hits and five walks in 11.2 innings. He's struck out nine batters. Williams compiled a 2.53 ERA in 110.1 innings for Triple-A Indianapolis. A 74:30 K:BB doesn't project great numbers at the major league level, but he could find a spot on Pittsburgh's staff in 2017.

Asher allowed three runs on five hits over six innings Friday in a 5-1 loss to the Mets. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Asher retired the first 11 hitters he faced before running into some trouble in the fourth inning. He was pulled in the seventh after allowing a Jay Bruce home run to lead off the inning. He finishes 2016 with a 2.28 ERA and a 13:4 K:BB in 27.2 innings. He will likely get a chance to compete for a rotation spot next spring.

Eflin underwent successful surgery to repair his left patella tendon Friday, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Six weeks to the day after he had right knee surgery, Eflin went back under the knife, this time to repair the patella tendon in his left knee. The right-hander is expected to be ready for spring training and will likely get a chance to compete for one of the final spots in the Phillies' rotation.

Anderson will not start as scheduled Saturday due to soreness, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

It's not clear what exactly Anderson is being bothered by, but it will prevent him from taking the mound Saturday, and likely end his season. Jeff Hoffman will get the start in Anderson's place.

Wacha will start Saturday's game against the Pirates, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

Wacha was hammered for seven earned runs over 2.2 innings his last time out, but manager Mike Matheny decided he was the best option to start Saturday in what will be a key game for the Cardinals' chances of reaching the postseason. While Wacha will start, he figures to be on a short leash if he runs into trouble like he did in his previous outing.

Cueto said he'd be ready to pitch Sunday on two days rest if called upon, the San Jose Mercury News' Andrew Baggarly reports.

He was brilliant in Thursday's start against the Rockies, giving up two runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out 11 over seven innings to pick up his 18th win of the season. The Giants are currently tied with the Mets for the two NL wild-card spots, with the Cardinals one game behind. Ideally the Giants would be able to save Cueto for the wild-card game, but it's possible he could be used in some fashion Sunday if a playoff spot is hanging in the balance.

Ray (8-15) gave up five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in a loss to the Nationals on Thursday.

After posting a 2.70 ERA and 38:9 K:BB in August, Ray seemed to wear down a bit over the season's final month. He allowed 26 runs on 32 hits (including six homers) in 29.1 September innings, dropping three of four decisions. Walks were once again a problem throughout 2016 but Ray missed bats at a great clip (28.6 percent strikeout rate), with the peripherals suggesting he was significantly better than the surface numbers would indicate -- coming into Thursday's outing he ranked fourth among all qualifiers in xFIP. He will have appeal in the middle-to-late rounds of mixed-league drafts next spring.