MLB Player News

Horton (7-3) earned the win Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on one hit and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.

Horton opened his outing with five hitless frames, and he ultimately set a season best in hits allowed. The eight strikeouts also established a season high, and the rookie right-hander has now thrown at least five innings while surrendering one run or fewer in five consecutive starts. Horton has a sparkling 1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB over 40 innings since the start of July, though he'll face a tough assignment at home versus the surging Brewers for his next scheduled appearance.

Pauley went 4-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 13-4 win over the Guardians.

Pauley reached base in all five plate appearances, highlighted by a 403-foot homer in the sixth inning. The 24-year-old has been productive in August, going 8-for-24 with three homers and a stolen base. For the year, he's slashing .239/.318/.388 with four long balls, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored and two steals across 152 plate appearances. He should continue to see regular at-bats while Connor Norby (wrist) remains sidelined.

Manager Craig Counsell said after Wednesday's win over Toronto that Amaya was diagnosed with a sprained left ankle, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Amaya needed to be carted off the field after stepping awkwardly on first base in the eighth inning. X-rays came back negative after the incident, but Counsell confirmed that the catcher's sprained ankle will be enough to force him back on the injured list just two days after returning from a significant oblique injury. Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire will likely resume splitting reps behind the plate while Amaya is out.

Shaw went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run, an additional run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Shaw had a well-rounded effort in the win, mashing his 10th home run of the season and stealing his 15th base in 17 attempts. While it's been an up-and-down rookie campaign for the 23-year-old, reaching double figures in both of those categories showcases his long-term potential. Shaw has been especially productive in 22 games since the trade deadline with a 1.147 OPS and eight homers, solidifying his job security as the starter at third base.

Busch went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two total RBI in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Busch got the scoring started with a home run against Toronto starter Kevin Gausman in the top of the third inning, his 23rd of the season, then chipped in a sac fly later in the game. The first baseman continues to mash against right-handed pitching with a .924 OPS and all but two of his long balls in those matchups. Busch's 23 home runs and 67 RBI are also both already career highs.

Perez (5-3) earned the win against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing four runs on three hits and eight strikeouts over five innings.

Perez allowed just four baserunners, but all came around to score on home runs in the first and fourth innings. He was otherwise excellent, generating 17 whiffs on 91 pitches while matching his season-high with eight strikeouts. While the 22-year-old has surrendered five homers and nine earned runs over his past two starts, he still owns a 3.58 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB across 60.1 innings this year. He's slated for a home matchup with the Cardinals early next week.

Marsee went 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, seven RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 13-4 win over the Guardians.

Marsee tied a franchise record with seven RBI, highlighted by home runs in the first and fifth innings. Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com, the 24-year-old is just the third player ever to drive in at least seven runs in a game within his first 13 career contests. He's erupted out of the gate with a 1.414 OPS, three homers, 13 RBI, eight runs scored, six steals and a 9:9 BB:K over his first 48 major-league plate appearances.

Taillon (calf) tossed 5.1 scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four.

Taillon looked sharp and built up to 84 pitches in what was the third and final start of his rehab assignment at Iowa. Cubs manager Craig Counsell has already confirmed that Taillon will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his next start with the Cubs, likely for one half of the doubleheader with the red-hot Brewers on Monday at Wrigley Field. Before landing on the shelf July 4 due to a right calf strain, Taillon went 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 74:20 K:BB in 95.1 innings.

Teng (1-2) took the loss Wednesday against San Diego, allowing seven runs (six earned) on four hits and four walks over 1.2 innings.

After tossing a scoreless first inning, Teng unraveled in the second, allowing six straight batters to reach after recording the first out. It's a disappointing showing from Teng, who held the Nationals scoreless over five innings in his previous appearance. With Landen Roupp (elbow) expected to rejoin the Giants' rotation Friday, Teng will likely head back to Triple-A or assume a bullpen role.

Amaya was removed from Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays due to a leg injury, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Amaya landed awkwardly on first base while legging out an infield single in the eighth inning and had to leave the game on a cart. The 26-year-old backstop was playing in his first game since returning from an oblique injury that sidelined him for nearly three months, and although the Cubs have yet to determine the severity of his latest injury, he's likely destined to spend more time on the IL.