MLB Player News

Cron (hand) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Padres.

Cron will return to the starting nine for the series finale after he was on the bench for each of the Rockies' previous three games due to the left hand injury. The first-time All-Star has noticed a major drop in production in the second half -- he's hitting .214 with eight home runs, 32 RBI and 22 runs in 52 games -- but he should finish the campaign as a near-everyday player now that the hand injury looks to be behind him.

Toglia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Toglia will head to the bench after he struck out a career-high three times in Saturday's 9-3 loss, ending a streak of six consecutive starts. C.J. Cron (hand) is back in the lineup Sunday after a three-game absence, so Toglia is expected to primarily vie with fellow rookie Sean Bouchard for playing time in the corner outfield over the final week and a half of the season.

Abreu is not in Sunday's lineup against the Tigers.

This is Abreu's first day off this month. Andrew Vaughn is starting at first base while Adam Engel enters the outfield mix.

Cooper is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Cooper started the past six games and will head to the bench after he went 6-for-22 with a home run, three doubles, two RBI and eight strikeouts during that stretch. Brian Anderson will serve as the designated hitter while Jerar Encarnacion starts in right field.

Torkelson is not in Sunday's lineup against the White Sox.

Torkelson is hitting .179 with zero home runs over his last 10 games, but on the bright side, he is only striking out at a 16.7 percent clip over that stretch. Harold Castro will start at first base and hit third.

Aranda is not in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

Aranda has been playing regularly over the last week, hitting .125 with a .276 OBP and one home run in 24 at-bats over that stretch. Taylor Walls is starting at second base and hitting ninth.

Diaz (shoulder) is not in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

Diaz has not played since Monday, Sept. 19. Isaac Paredes will start at third base while Harold Ramirez gets the start at first base.

Casas went 1-for-2 with three walks, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Yankees.

Casas hit a two-run homer in the second inning then walked with the bases loaded in the sixth to produce a third run. The rookie has shown good defense at first base, but he hasn't hit much. He had just three hits over the first 38 at-bats (.079) in the majors but has hit safely in the first three games of the series against the Yankees, including two home runs. The Red Sox aren't worried and are confident Casas will hit in the majors.

Calhoun went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Guardians.

Calhoun's playing time has dried up, and Saturday's plate appearance was just his eighth over the last 12 games. He's made two starts during that stretch and was removed for a pinch hitter in both. The Rangers have prioritized the development of Leody Taveras, Bubba Thompson and Josh Smith instead.

Mervis is on the radar to win a roster spot in spring training next year, according to manager David Ross, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

"There's a big hole for me at first base," Ross said. "No doubt he'll have a great opportunity in front of him moving forward." Mervis has had an outstanding season across the three highest levels of the minors, and his strikeout and walk rates kept trending in the right direction against better competition. The 24-year-old lefty-hitting first baseman slashed .297/.387/.595 with 14 home runs, a 14.2 percent strikeout rate and a 10.7 percent walk rate in 54 games at Triple-A. He has 35 homers on the season. Despite not having any MLB experience, Mervis is arguably the most appealing first baseman on the Cubs' roster for 2023 fantasy value.