MLB Player News

Hoerner went 2-for-5 with a walk, a two-run home run, two runs scored and four total RBI in Friday's 18-7 win over the Pirates.

Hoerner connected off Pittsburgh starter Steven Brault in the first inning for his first career MLB home run. The 22-year-old shortstop, who is one of the top prospects in the Cubs' system, has shined since his MLB debut Monday. In five games, he's slashing .350/.435/.600, and with Javier Baez (thumb) and Addison Russell (head) both out, Hoerner should continue to see regular playing time.

Mendick went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Friday's 9-7 win over the Mariners.

Mendick, who got the start at second base for the resting Yolmer Sanchez, has seven hits in 21 at-bats while getting spotty playing time since being added to the roster for the month of September. The 25-year-old infielder will fill in at three infield spots whenever manager Rick Renteria wants to give Sanchez, shortstop Tim Anderson or third baseman Yoan Moncada a day off.

Albies went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk during a 5-0 victory against the Nationals on Friday.

The second baseman remains five steals away from a 20/20 season, but he has gone deep four times in his last eight games, including each of the past two contests. He needs two more long balls to tie his mark in the category from last year, but Albies has already matched his total of 70 extra-bases. He is batting .293 with 23 home runs, 79 RBI, 95 runs and 15 steals in 593 at-bats this year.

Lux went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and two runs scored Friday night against the Mets.

Lux delivered a three-run blast in the fourth inning, putting his team ahead in the early going. The 21-year-old shortstop is now 9-for-33 with two homers, five RBI and a stolen base over his first 10 big-league contests.

Lowe (quadriceps) is expected to be sent to the instructional league Tuesday to see more at-bats, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Lowe felt some fatigue in his leg during Thursday's sim game, but assuming everything goes as planned over the next few days, he'll head to the instructional league Tuesday with the hope of returning to the big leagues before the regular season comes to an end. It's unknown how many at-bats he'll need to see before being activated from the 60-day injured list.

Polanco (mouth) is starting at shortstop and batting third Friday against the Indians, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Polaco was held out of Thursday's action due to a dental issue, but he's been cleared to return for Friday's series opener. He's batting .268 with a home run, six RBI and 10 strikeouts over his last 10 matchups.

Forsythe (intercostal) will remain on the bench Friday against the Athletics.

Forsythe will sit for the fourth straight game while dealing with a left intercostal strain. He hasn't appeared off the bench in any of the previous three contests.

Rodriguez will not start Friday against the Orioles.

Rodriguez has gone 3-for-30 over his last eight games, Jordy Mercer will get the start at second base in his absence.

Lowe (quadriceps) experienced some leg fatigue while working against Yonny Chirinos (finger) in a sim game Thursday, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

Despite the seemingly negative slant on the news, the fatigue wasn't overly alarming considering Lowe had been putting his legs through the ringer by running over each of the previous four days. Lowe is slated for another sim game matchup against Chirinos this coming Monday, but that's scheduled to be preceded by a live batting practice session at Tropicana Field on Friday.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and a stolen base in a loss to Oakland on Thursday.

Altuve brought Houston to within a run with a solo shot to left field in the eighth inning but flied out with the tying run on base in the ninth. The 2017 AL MVP started off slowly this season but has been on fire since returning from a hamstring injury in mid-June, hitting .333 with 18 homers and 45 RBI in his last 306 at-bats.