MLB Player News

Wright (shoulder) tossed 1.2 innings and struck out one while allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Gwinnett.

After allowing just one baserunner and recording four strikeouts over three innings in his first rehab outing Aug. 24 with High-A Rome, Wright took a step back in terms of performance while shifting his assignment to Atlanta's top minor-league affiliate. He spotted just 15 of his 31 offerings for strikes, throwing one wild pitch in addition to issuing the two free passes. The right-hander has been on the shelf since early May with a shoulder strain and will probably need at least two more rehab outings to get stretched back out before he's a viable option to rejoin the Atlanta rotation.

Liberatore (back) covered 3.2 innings and gave up five earned runs on four hits and five walks while striking out five in his rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Memphis.

Though he didn't escape the fourth inning Tuesday, Liberatore still tossed 78 pitches (45 strikes) while taking the hill for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list Aug. 22 with lower-back tightness. From a workload standpoint, Liberatore appears ready to re-enter the big-league rotation, but the Cardinals may want to see a more efficient outing in the minors from the young lefty before activating him.

Woodford (shoulder) struck out six and worked around two hits and one walk in 3.1 scoreless innings in his latest rehab appearance Tuesday with Triple-A Memphis.

Woodford had started in each of his previous four rehab outings, but he worked in relief behind Matthew Liberatore (back) on Tuesday. The right-hander still tossed 66 pitches (40 strikes) in the extended relief appearance, as the Cardinals appear to be entertaining the possibility of bringing Woodford back as a member of the rotation once he's reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Before landing on the IL in late June, Woodford had been working out of the bullpen, but the Cardinals could view him as an upgrade over some of their current back-end rotation options.

Wicks is scheduled to start the first game of Friday's doubleheader in Cincinnati, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

As anticipated, Wicks will receive a second turn through the Cubs rotation after turning in a strong outing last weekend in Pittsburgh in his MLB debut. After allowing a leadoff home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes in his first career start, Wicks settled down and permitted just two more baserunners on the day while striking out nine over five innings en route to picking up the win. He'll draw a tougher assignment Friday while he faces off against the Reds at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez confirmed Thursday that Gray will start Sunday's series finale against the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Gray yielded four earned runs over just two innings (63 pitches) in his last rotation turn Monday against the Blue Jays, but Martinez said the 25-year-old looked sharp in his between-starts bullpen session Thursday afternoon in Washington. He'll stay on turn for now, though Gray might get a bit of extra rest at certain points down the stretch.

Butto will be added to the Mets' major-league roster Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Butto is expected to work out of the bullpen down the stretch. The 25-year-old has posted a 4.30 ERA in 14.2 innings (two starts, two relief appearances) this season at the major-league level and a 5.93 ERA in 91 innings (19 starts) with Triple-A Syracuse.

Lodolo (tibia) was ruled out Thursday for the remainder of the 2023 season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

It's rather unsurprising news after Lodolo suffered a second stress reaction in his left tibia last week while making a rehab start for the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville. The 25-year-old left-hander finishes the season with a 2-1 record, 6.29 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 47:10 K:BB in just seven major-league starts covering 34.1 innings.

Battenfield was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Eric Haase has also been DFA'd as the Guardians clear out 40-man roster space following their waiver claims of Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore. Battenfield, 26, carries a 5.19 ERA in 34.2 innings this season at the MLB level and a 5.66 ERA in 47.2 innings at Triple-A.

The Nationals placed Gore on the bereavement list Thursday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Gore will be required to miss at least three games and no more than seven as he tends to more important matters. Joe La Sorsa was recalled from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move.

Clevinger cleared waivers and will remain with the White Sox, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Clevinger has pitched pretty well since returning from a biceps injury a month ago, but contenders still didn't view him as enough of an upgrade to justify adding his salary. The right-hander remains on track to start this weekend against the Tigers.