Williams elected free agency Saturday, John Dreker of Pirates Prospects reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week, and he'll become a free agent rather than accepting his outright assignment. The right-hander could attempt to find a role as a back-end starter or as a reliever with a different organization after posting a 6.18 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 55.1 innings in 2020.

Williams was designated for assignment Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 6.18 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB Williams logged in 55.1 innings this past season sealed his fate with this new front office. He could get a look in another organization as a back-end starter or he could transition into a reliever.

Williams (2-8) allowed just one run on three hits (one home run) and three walks while striking out four across 5.2 innings Wednesday as he earned the win in his final start of 2020.

EDGE Analysis

Williams came into Wednesday's start having given up the most earned runs in the league (37), the most home runs (14) and had lost more games (8) than any other pitcher in baseball. It originally looked like it would be another poor outing for the 28-year-old after giving up a first-inning solo home run to Anthony Rizzo but he settled in afterwards and was able to hold the Cubs' hitters in check for the rest of his outing. 2020 was a season to forget for Williams who finishes with a 6.18 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB across 55.1 innings pitched.

Williams (1-8) took the loss in the first game of Friday's doubleheader as the Pirates were downed 6-5 by the Cardinals, surrendering six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 4.1 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

It was the first time all season Williams hasn't issued a free pass, but that was about the only bright spot in an otherwise poor outing. The 28-year-old served up multiple homers for the third straight start and the fourth time in five trips to the mound, and on the year he now carries a 6.70 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 45:18 K:BB and 2.54 HR/9 through 49.2 innings while also leading the league in losses. He'll get one more start Wednesday, at home against the Cubs.

Williams (1-7) took the loss Saturday as the Pirates were downed 7-4 by the Royals, surrendering six runs on 10 hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Two of the 10 hits left the yard, and Williams struggled in almost every frame. The right-hander threw 65 of 101 pitches for strikes as he lost his fourth straight decision. Williams will carry a 6.35 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 42:18 K:BB through 45.1 innings into his next outing Thursday, at home against the Cardinals.

Williams (1-6) took the loss Saturday as the Pirates were downed 6-2 by the Reds, coughing up five runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

It's the second time this season the right-hander has served up three homers in a game, and his HR/9 now stands at a ghastly 2.23. Williams has struck out batters at a career-high 21.0 percent clip in 2020, but that's about the only silver lining to his performance so far. He'll carry a 5.80 ERA and 1.51 WHIP through 40.1 innings into his next outing Saturday in Kansas City.

Williams gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks over four innings versus the Brewers on Monday. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Williams' struggles were not his alone, as the Pirates made two errors that led to runs in the second and fourth innings. The 28-year-old didn't help his own cause much, allowing eight or more baseunners for the fourth straight start. Williams has a 5.50 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB through 34.1 innings this season. He'll look for better control Saturday versus the Reds.

Williams (1-5) took the loss Wednesday against the White Sox after giving up eight runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and two walks over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander entered Wednesday with three homers allowed through his first five starts of the season, but Chicago doubled up that total. Williams has a 5.34 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB through 30.1 innings, and he'll look to get back on track Monday at Milwaukee.

Williams (1-4) took the loss Thursday as the Pirates were downed 2-0 by Cleveland, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

It was a solid, if inefficient, performance -- Williams needed 90 pitches (52 strikes) to record 12 outs -- but with Shane Bieber on the mound for the opposition, he had no margin for error. Despite his poor record, Williams has a respectable 3.70 ERA and 23:8 K:BB through 24.1 innings, and he'll look for more support from his offense in his next outing Wednesday, on the road against the White Sox.

Williams is slated to start Thursday's game against the Indians.

EDGE Analysis

Williams will be making his fifth start of the season for the Pirates. Through four turns, Williams is 1-3 with a 3.98 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.