The Mets optioned Young to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Joey Lucchesi, who will start the second game of Monday's doubleheader in Atlanta. Young has permitted five runs with a 13:7 K:BB over 13.2 innings with the Mets this season.

The Mets selected Lucchesi's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

With the Mets having already clinched a playoff spot in winning the first game over Atlanta on Monday, they will turn to Lucchesi in the second contest and save Luis Severino for the wild-card series. Lucchesi has made one start for the Mets this season, allowing five runs over 4.1 frames.

Holmes will start the second game of Monday's doubleheader versus the Mets, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

He will sub in for Chris Sale -- who had to be scratched due to back spasms -- with a postseason berth on the line. Holmes made six starts and 19 relief appearances for Atlanta this season, posting a 3.78 ERA and 63:14 K:BB over 64.1 frames. His last start came on Sept. 22 when he went four innings and threw 62 pitches against the Marlins. Holmes also threw 1.2 innings and 21 pitches in a relief outing Sunday, so he will be quite limited in what he can offer length-wise Monday.

Sale has been scratched from Monday's start against the Mets due to back spasms, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Atlanta is facing a must-win game after losing the first game of Monday's doubleheader, and they will no longer have their ace available after he felt back spasms Sunday. It will be Grant Holmes starting in Sale's place. When or if Sale might be ready for the wild-card series, should Atlanta qualify, is uncertain. General manager Alex Anthopoulos noted that Sale's injury is a day-to-day situation, which would seem to offer hope he could pitch at some point during the wild-card series, should Atlanta qualify.

Peralta will start Game 1 of the wild-card series for the Brewers on Tuesday, Stephen Watson of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

The Brewers don't know their opponent yet, but Peralta is going to get the ball Tuesday regardless of who they play. Peralta collected a 3.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 200:68 K:BB over 173.2 innings covering 32 starts this season. The Brewers have not yet revealed any of their starting pitchers beyond Game 1.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that Frelick's (hip) status for the wild-card series remains uncertain, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Frelick was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left hip Saturday, but he is still noticeably gimpy and will undergo more testing Monday. If Frelick is ultimately not ready for the wild-card series which begins Tuesday, Blake Perkins should see an increase in responsibility.

Valdez will start Game 1 of the wild-card series versus the Tigers on Tuesday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

How the Astros ultimately set up their full postseason rotation will be interesting, but there wasn't much question as to whom would take the ball in Game 1. After an inconsistent first half, Valdez held a 1.96 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 87:23 K:BB over 78 frames in 12 second-half starts. He'll be opposed by Tarik Skubal.

Skubal will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Astros on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Skubal will square off against fellow southpaw Framber Valdez. The left-hander is the likely American League Cy Young winner after going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 228:35 K:BB across 192 frames.

Ragans will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Orioles on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans -- who will be opposed by Corbin Burnes -- earns the Royals' first playoff game start since 2015 after collecting a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 223:67 K:BB over 186.1 innings covering 32 starts. The Royals will go with Seth Lugo in Game 2 and Michael Wacha in Game 3, if there is one.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that McCormick (hand) should be "ready to go" for the wild-card series against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCormick has been shelved since mid-September with a small fracture in his right hand, but he's been working out for the past week and it appears he will be part of the Astros' wild-card roster. The switch-hitting outfielder has put up just a .577 OPS over 267 plate appearances in 2024.