Matthew Liberatore - Page 2 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Next start moved to Wednesday Liberatore will make his next start Wednesday in Pittsburgh while he gets extra time to heal up from back pain, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact Liberatore had been lined up to take the hill for Monday's series opener at PNC Park, but the Cardinals will instead call up Drew Rom from Triple-A Memphis to start that day to afford the lefty some extra time to rest up and recover. According to Denton, Liberatore's back issue stems from a weightlifting session rather than from his most recent start last Wednesday, when he gave up six runs (five earned) over 4.1 innings in a loss to Oakland. Before falling flat against the last-place Athletics, Liberatore turned in the best start of his career Aug. 10, blanking the Rays over eight innings while striking out seven.

AUGUST 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ambushed by A's Liberatore (2-5) took the loss Wednesday, surrendering six runs (five earned) on 10 hits and three walks over 4.1 innings as the Cardinals fell 8-0 to the A's. He struck out five.

Impact The rookie southpaw got little help from his teammates, but Liberatore did himself no favors as he got only 55 of 92 pitches into the strike zone, and his lack of command or control led to a four-run first inning for Oakland. He's had one good start and two poor ones since rejoining the big-league rotation after the trade deadline, and he's likely to remain a volatile fantasy option the rest of the season. Liberatore will carry a 6.12 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 35:21 K:BB through 50 innings into his next outing, which is likely to come early next week in Pittsburgh.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sparkles against Rays Liberatore (2-4) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Thursday, pitching eight scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and struck out seven batters.

Impact Liberatore had a 6.93 ERA coming into the contest, but he stifled the Rays' offense in the best start of his big-league career. The southpaw completed eight innings for the first time as a major-leaguer and allowed just two hits, both of which were singles. Liberatore has struggled thus far to get batters out at the highest level, so it remains to be seen if Thursday's gem will be a turning point. He's lined up for a prime matchup at home against Oakland in his next start.

AUGUST 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Liberatore shows vast improvement in gem vs. former team ST. PETERSBURG -- When Matthew Liberatore was working in the bullpen Tuesday, two days before he would face a Rays organization that drafted...

AUGUST 11, 2023 • MLB.COM

MLB roundup: Ex-Ray Matthew Liberatore carries Cards Matthew Liberatore showed why he was once ranked among baseball's top prospects, tossing eight shutout innings in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5...

AUGUST 11, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Ex-Rays prospect Matthew Liberatore stars in Cards' win Matthew Liberatore showed why he was once ranked among baseball's top prospects, tossing eight shutout innings in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5...

AUGUST 11, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Liberatore throws 8 scoreless innings in the Cardinals' 5-2 victory over the Rays

Matthew Liberatore didn’t allow a run in a career-best eight innings, Andrew Knizner and Tommy Edman homered and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 on Thursday nig...

AUGUST 11, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Drawing another start Liberatore is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Rays in Tampa Bay.

Impact Liberatore will get a second straight turn through the St. Louis rotation, facing off against the organization that drafted him with a first-round selection in 2018 before dealing him to the Cardinals in 2020. In his return from Triple-A Memphis this past weekend, Liberatore worked 5.2 innings in a losing effort against the Twins, giving up five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one. With a 6.93 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 8.5 K-BB% over 37.2 innings in the majors this season, Liberatore likely warrants attention just in NL-only leagues at this time.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in return to rotation Liberatore (1-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Twins. He struck out one.

Impact Most of the damage against Liberatore came in the second inning when the Twins tagged him for four runs on a pair of homers. The 23-year-old left-hander's ERA is now up to 6.93 with a 1.78 WHIP and 23:18 K:BB across nine starts (37.2 innings) this season. Liberatore still does offer some upside and will remain in the Cardinals' rotation following the trades of Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery. However, he remains too risky of an option for fantasy purposes.

AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matthew Liberatore's future one of many focal points as Cardinals pivot to 2024 Manager Oliver Marmol gave Liberatore a pep talk: "Let your shoulders drop. ... Just go out there, be yourself and actually let it eat."

AUGUST 4, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Joining rotation Thursday Liberatore is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Twins, Joey Schneider of Fox 2 St. Louis reports.

Impact Liberatore is one of two new additions to the St. Louis rotation this week, as Dakota Hudson will also be picking up a start Wednesday as the Cardinals replace the outgoing Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, who were moved ahead of the trade deadline. After getting out to a hot start over the first month of the season at Triple-A Memphis, Liberatore has struggled to maintain that form while bouncing between the big leagues and minors since the beginning of May. He's been particularly unimpressive over his nine outings (eight starts) with St. Louis, accruing a 6.75 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 3.8 K-BB% in 32 innings. Liberatore will still be worth holding in NL-only leagues since he'll have a fairly clear path to a starting role the rest of the way, but he'll need to show improved results before becoming a trusted lineup option in most deeper mixed leagues.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in STL The Cardinals recalled Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Impact Liberatore holds a 6.75 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through 32 innings in the majors this season, and his stats since being optioned July 6 haven't been much better. It's unclear whether Liberatore will work out of the bullpen or join the Cardinals' rotation, but he doesn't project to offer much fantasy value either way. Andrew Suarez was optioned to Memphis in a corresponding move.

JULY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Memphis St. Louis optioned Liberatore to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Impact Liberatore recorded only one out in his last start Wednesday against the Marlins, ultimately being charged with four earned runs on five hits and one walk over 0.1 innings. The young left-hander heads back to the farm with an overall 6.75 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in 32 major-league frames for the year.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets lit up in first inning Liberatore did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over one-third of an inning against the Marlins.

Impact Liberatore got shelled immediately Wednesday, surrendering four consecutive hits and a walk to open the bottom of the first before finally getting Jean Segura to fly out to left for the first out. The lefty then gave up another single to Dane Myers to make it a four-run inning for the Marlins before being relieved by Dakota Hudson. It was a disastrous outing for Liberatore after he hurled 2.2 scoreless innings against the Yankees in his first appearance this season on July 1.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing start Wednesday Liberatore will start for the Cardinals on Wednesday in Miami, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact Prior reports suggested that the Cardinals would start Steven Matz, but they've instead decided to give the ball to Liberatore, who will be pitching on short rest. While Liberatore will be working on just three days' rest after starting Saturday versus the Yankees, he threw only 56 pitches in that outing. Liberatore hasn't gone more than 4.1 innings in any of his last three starts, holding a 6.75 ERA and 6:5 K:BB in 10.2 frames over that time.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Loses in nightcap Liberatore (1-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out just one over 4.1 innings, taking the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Yankees.

Impact Liberatore has failed to complete five innings in four of his last five outings, and he's given up 12 runs (eight earned) across 10.2 innings in his last three starts. The southpaw was pushed back a day after Friday's rainout, but the extra rest didn't do him much good. With a 5.68 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 22:15 K:BB over 31.2 innings through eight appearances this year, it's fair to question how much more leeway Liberatore has when it comes to staying in the Cardinals' rotation. He could ultimately swap spots with Steven Matz, who is currently in the bullpen, or the Cardinals may opt to bring up a starter from Triple-A Memphis, though no one on the farm is doing much to differentiate themselves. St. Louis will need a spot starter Wednesday due to this doubleheader, and it's possible Liberatore may not start again until after the All-Star break.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Friday's start postponed Liberatore's scheduled start against the Yankees has been postponed due to inclement weather, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Liberatore was scheduled to square off against Luis Severino, but the rain in St. Louis will see that game scratched and made up with a doubleheader come Saturday. It's likely Severino will start one of the two games of that twin bill.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pulled in third inning Liberatore did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four unearned runs on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings against the Cubs. He struck out three.

Impact Liberatore was tagged for four runs in the first, but none of them were earned due to two errors from the Cardinals defense. The left-hander was pulled in the third inning at 56 pitches (33 strikes) in favor of John Woodford, who earned the win. Liberatore has started six of his seven MLB appearances this season, but Sunday's outing was by far his shortest as a starter, as he completed at least four innings in his other starts. The 23-year-old's spot in the rotation remains secure moving forward, especially if Jack Flaherty (hip) has to miss extended time, but Liberatore figures to have a short lease during his outings, with Woodford and Steven Matz available as long-relief options out of the bullpen.

JUNE 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows season-high five earned runs Liberatore did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks over four innings against the Mets. He struck out two.

Impact Liberatore allowed a season-high five earned runs, but he escaped with a no-decision thanks to the Cardinals' offensive explosion. It was a disappointing outing for the left-hander, who was coming off his first quality start of the year, and his ERA has ballooned to 6.12 through six appearances (five starts). The 23-year-old won the fifth-starter gig to start June, as Steven Matz shifted to the bullpen, but Liberatore's spot in the rotation isn't guaranteed, especially if he continues to struggle.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yields two runs in no-decision Liberatore allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings in Monday's loss to the Giants. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Impact Liberatore coughed up both runs in the third inning but otherwise was able to navigate through the Giants' lineup. After allowing eight earned runs in his last two starts, Monday's outing was his first quality start at the MLB level this season. He dropped his ERA to 5.14 alongside a 16:10 K:BB through 21 innings. Liberatore is lined up to face the Mets on the road this weekend.

JUNE 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Surrenders five runs in loss Liberatore (1-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Rangers after allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out two over four innings.

Impact Liberatore started out with a clean opening frame but then proceeded to allow a run in the second, third and three more in the fourth before his day was over. The 23-year-old has racked up just five strikeouts over his last 10 innings after he had six strikeouts over five innings during his 2023 debut on May 17. Even with his recent struggles, the team still plans to give Liberatore multiple starts in order to get a fair evaluation on where he stands at the MLB level after moving Steven Matz to the bullpen. He now stands at a 6.00 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB over 15 innings. His next chance to right the ship should come next week against the Giants.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will start Tuesday Liberatore will start Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact After the Cardinals announced they will be shifting to a five-man rotation instead of six, it was unclear whether Liberatore or Steven Matz would take the fifth spot. With the team confirming Liberatore as Tuesday's starter, it appears the 23-year-old lefty has the upper hand at the moment. However, a plan is in place to work Matz back into the rotation, so Liberatore is still at risk of losing his spot should his performance decline.

JUNE 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Role not yet determined The Cardinals will no longer use a six-man rotation, with the fifth spot coming down to Liberatore or Steven Matz, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Cards shifted to a six-man rotation during a stretch of 19 games in 19 days, but they have back-to-back off days this week which will allow them to restructure the rotation again. Matz will be available in relief Monday and Tuesday, with Liberatore's potential availability out of the bullpen yet to be determined. Things certainly appear to be pointing toward Matz being moved to the bullpen for a while and Liberatore getting the fifth spot, but the team has not yet committed to that setup.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged with four runs Liberatore (1-1) allowed four runs in five hits and two walks over five innings Friday. He struck out two and took a loss against Cleveland.

Impact Liberatore faced little issue through four scoreless innings before the Guardians broke through with a four-run fifth frame. His ERA jumped to 4.91 through three appearances (two starts) this season. As of now, it's unclear if Liberatore will get another start or move back into the bullpen. He posted an 11.0 K/9 with Triple-A Memphis but has struck out just nine batters in 11 MLB innings.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

'One inning got him': Trouble in 5th bites Liberatore CLEVELAND -- For four innings on Friday night, Matthew Liberatore stymied the Cleveland Guardians’ offense. That changed in the fifth, as Li...

MAY 27, 2023 • MLB.COM

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Liberatore throws 8 scoreless innings in the Cardinals' 5-2 victory over the Rays