MLB Player News

Jansen went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in an 11-10 win over Baltimore in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.

The catcher went yard in the fourth inning for his third homer in seven games since he returned from a hamstring strain. He's gone 7-for-19 (.368) in that span. Jansen is up to eight long balls, 15 RBI, 21 runs scored and eight doubles through 163 plate appearances this year.

Ruiz (head) underwent X-rays after Saturday's loss to the Pirates that came back negative, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz was removed from Saturday's matchup in the top of the sixth inning after he was hit by a pitch on his helmet, but he doesn't appear to be dealing with a significant injury. The catcher isn't expected to miss much time and should considered day-to-day.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with two RBI in Saturday's loss to the Giants.

Contreras made his return from a knee injury a week ago and has been understandably rusty after missing nearly a month. The catcher came into Saturday's contest with just three hits in 19 at-bats since coming off the injured list, so it was good to see him string together multiple hits. With the Cubs sitting at 65-78 and outside the playoff picture, Contreras will likely receive plenty of rest days down the stretch as the team turns its attention to 2022.

Ruiz exited Saturday's game against the Pirates in the top of the sixth inning after he was hit by a pitch on his helmet, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Ruiz went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI to begin Saturday's contest, but he was immediately removed from the game after he was hit near his jaw area. It's not yet clear whether the injury will force him to miss additional time.

Heim went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer and two RBI in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Athletics. He also drew a walk.

Heim smoked a double off Cole Irvin before bashing a game-winning two-run homer off Andrew Chafin in the eighth inning. The long ball is Heim's first since Aug. 1 and can perhaps put some juice back in the catcher's bat. His average has slid from .227 to .200 since the start of August.

Nido (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nido will return to game action nearly two weeks after he was placed on the injured list due to a left thumb sprain. Since the 27-year-old hasn't been sidelined too long, he'll likely be considered to rejoin the major-league club early next week.

Murphy went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a two-run blast in a win over the Diamondbacks on Friday.

The veteran backstop took Madison Bumgarner deep in the second and sixth innings for his 10th and 11th round trippers of the season. Murphy's second blast, a 382-foot laser to left field in the sixth inning, proved to be the difference in the contest when the Diamondbacks' Seth Beer slugged a pinch-hit solo homer in the eighth inning. Murphy now has a pair of two-hit efforts in the last four games and has driven in six runs over his last five contests overall.

Nola isn't starting Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Nola went 0-for-4 in Friday's loss to the Dodgers, and he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Victor Caratini will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Stallings started each of the last two games and went 1-for-7 with a walk and a strikeout. Michael Perez will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Sanchez is not in Saturday's lineup against the Mets.

Kyle Higashioka will start at catcher and bat eighth.