MLB Player News

Velasquez allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.1 innings in Wednesday's 10-1 loss to the Twins.

Starter Davis Martin was pulled from the game early due to biceps tightness after surrendering seven runs over 1.2 innings, and Velasquez was called upon to relieve him. Velasquez allowed two inherited runners to score but settled in after that, allowing just one earned run over 3.1 innings. Over 75.1 innings working mostly out of the bullpen this season, Velasquez owned a 4.78 ERA with 69 strikeouts.

Oviedo pitched four innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out one in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals. He did not factor into the decision.

Oviedo struggled early Wednesday, allowing two runs to score in the first inning, one of which was unearned as a result of a throwing error. He later surrendered another run in the third frame on a Nolan Arenado RBI single, accounting for the final run on his line. The performance marked the fifth consecutive outing where he allowed three or fewer runs, finishing the season with a 3.21 ERA and 1.29 WHIP while striking out 54 batters over 56 innings in 21 appearances, including eight starts.

Liberatore (2-2) was tagged with loss after he pitched five innings, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out Wednesday versus the Pirates.

The left-hander struggled Wednesday after being recalled from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day to make the spot start. Liberatore held the Pirates off the board for the first two frames before Rodolfo Castro ripped an RBI single in the third inning. He proceeded to surrender four runs in the following frame, raising the damage to five runs on the day. Liberatore will finish the campaign having made nine appearances, including seven starts with the Cardinals, posting a 5.97 ERA and 1.73 WHIP with 28 strikeouts over 34.2 innings.

Civale (5-6) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings with nine strikeouts against the Royals.

Civale was sharp against Kansas City on Wednesday, with the only damage coming from two solo home runs. The quality start was his second in a row, and the nine strikeouts on the day were his second-highest total of the season. In 43 innings in the second half, Civale managed a 3.35 ERA with 46 strikeouts, painting a much better story than his season-long 4.92 ERA and 5-6 record would indicate.

Williams is no longer starting Wednesday against the Nationals after Mychal Givens (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list to serve as the starter, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets haven't given any indication that Williams is unavailable Wednesday, so it seems likely that he'll be an option to serve as a bulk reliever behind Givens against Washington. Williams allowed at least one run in each of his six appearances in September, posting a 5.14 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 14 innings over that stretch.

Megill was placed on the injured list for an undisclosed reason Wednesday.

The Mets didn't provide a reason for placing Megill on the injured list, suggesting that he's on the COVID-19 IL. Assuming that's the case, the right-hander will be eligible to return as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be back in time for the upcoming NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, which begins Friday.

Martin was removed from Wednesday's start against the Twins in the top of the second inning due to right biceps soreness.

Martin struggled mightily to begin Wednesday's matchup, giving up nine runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out one in 1.2 innings prior to his departure. It's possible that his injury contributed to his struggles, although it's not yet clear whether the issue will impact his offseason program. The right-hander made 14 appearances (nine starts) in the majors this year and posted a 4.83 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 63.1 innings.

The Red Sox claimed McGee off waivers from the Rays on Wednesday.

Boston didn't formally activate McGee prior to Wednesday's contest, so he won't be available out of the bullpen while the Red Sox close out their regular season Wednesday against the right-hander's former Rays organization. McGee made his big-league debut Sunday in Houston, giving up an unearned run in three innings out of the bullpen.

The Padres placed Clevinger on the injured list Wednesday with an illness.

San Diego didn't specify whether Clevinger was moved to the 15-day injured list or the COVID-19-related IL. If it's the latter, Clevinger would be eligible to return for the Padres' wild-card round series with the Mets, though it's unclear if he would have been included in the team's playoff rotation even if he hadn't fallen ill. Clevinger had been on track to start Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Giants, but that assignment will instead go to Craig Stammen. The 31-year-old righty will finish the regular season with a 7-7 record, 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 91:35 K:BB over 114.1 innings.

Clevinger won't start Wednesday's game against the Giants as initially planned, with the Padres instead having Craig Stammen take the hill for the regular-season finale, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Considering Stammen hasn't covered more than two innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, he'll likely be serving as more of an opener than a traditional starter. The Padres haven't indicated that Clevinger will be available as a bulk reliever or if the team will rely on a cadre of bullpen arms to cover the remaining innings once Stammen exits.