MLB Player News

Rizzo (concussion) said Monday that he is feeling significantly better and expects to have a normal offseason, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Rizzo's 2023 season officially ended Sept. 12 when he was moved to the 60-day IL. He had been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome in early August and has shown gradual improvement since then, though it wasn't enough for him to return during the current campaign. Nonetheless, Rizzo said Monday that he is feeling "a lot clearer and pretty strong," adding that he's continued to stay active during his time on the injured list. The veteran first baseman indicated that he may start his offseason training program earlier than usual due to his shortened campaign and stated that he expects to be a full-go for spring training next year.

Mountcastle (shoulder) took batting practice on the field Tuesday and is likely a couple days away from being reinstated from the 10-day injured list, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

The 26-year-old will be eligible to be activated Wednesday, but the Orioles may give it an extra day or two before returning him to the active roster. Regardless, Mountcastle should be ready for game action before the end of the regular season Sunday.

Candelario (back) is continuing his progression through baseball activities Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Out since Sept. 12 due to a lower-back strain, Candelario was cleared to begin working out Friday and should be able to return to the Cubs' active roster at some point before the regular season comes to an end this Sunday. He could even be activated as early as Wednesday, per Montemurro. Miles Mastrobuoni has been receiving the majority of the playing time at third base in Candelario's absence, with Cody Bellinger largely playing first base.

Diaz (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz departed Sunday's matchup versus the Blue Jays with right hamstring tightness and will be out of the starting nine for at least one game. Tampa Bay has a scheduled day off Thursday, which could prompt the club to sit the 32-year-old again Wednesday in order to provide a couple extra days of rest.

Horwitz was optioned to the Blue Jays' Florida Complex League affiliate on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Triple-A Buffalo's season is over, which is the reasoning behind Horwitz being sent to the Jays' FCL club. He's clearing out to make room for Brandon Belt's return from the injured list.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run against the Angels on Monday in a 5-1 win.

After Adolis Garcia and Mitch Garver hit consecutive solo homers in the sixth inning, Lowe made it three straight with his own blast to right field. The long ball was just his second over a 34-game stretch dating back to Aug. 19. Lowe has shown less power with 17 homers this season after slugging a career-high 27 last year, but he's improved his RBI count from 76 to 81 thanks largely to hitting in a much more potent Rangers offense.

Schanuel was pulled in the seventh inning of Monday's game against the Rangers due to tightness in his knee, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Schanuel fouled a ball off his knee earlier in the contest and was initially able to remain in the game, but manager Phil Nevin noted Schanuel's knee began to tighten up later on, resulting in his removal. Schanuel will be considered day-to-day going forward, and the team plans to evaluate him further Tuesday, per Valenzuela.

Flores (knee) isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against San Diego, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Flores was lifted from Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers due to discomfort in his right knee, and he'll be held out of the lineup Monday. The Giants have not revealed whether the utility man will be available off the bench.

Wade isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Padres, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wade will take a seat with the Giants slated to face off against Cy Young candidate Blake Snell. J.D. Davis gets the call at first base and is set to hit fourth in Wade's absence.

Ellis cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Ellis is no longer on the Phillies' 40-man roster, but he looks set to remain in the organization at least through the end of the season. The utility infielder saw action in 12 games for the Phillies this season, producing an .858 OPS.