MLB Player News

The Cardinals recalled Fermin from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Fermin is grabbing the roster spot that opened up with Willson Contreras (shoulder) landing on the injured list. He's slashed .298/.389/.404 in limited action this season and will operate as a reserve infielder down the stretch.

The Cardinals placed Contreras on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right shoulder strain.

The injury had previously been labeled as a biceps strain, but either way, it will end Contreras' season. He slashed .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI over 135 games in his first season as a full-time first baseman. Alec Burleson will take over at first base for the Cardinals down the stretch, which should lead to more playing time in the outfield for Jordan Walker.

The Pirates optioned Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Sanders was up with the Pirates for just three days following his call-up from Indianapolis and made his lone appearance Monday, when he gave up a run in 1.2 innings out of the bullpen in Pittsburgh's 4-0 loss to the Cubs. He'll give up his spot on the 28-man active roster to right-hander Yohan Ramirez (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list.

The Pirates reinstated Ramirez (personal) from the paternity list Wednesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ramirez will rejoin the Pirates after he spent the maximum three days away from the team while welcoming a new child. Pittsburgh optioned right-hander Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear a spot in the bullpen and on the 28-man active roster for Ramirez.

Cruz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Cruz has now exited the starting nine in four of the Pirates' last seven games, though three of his absences have come with left-handed pitchers on the bump for the opposition. He'll cede center field to Alexander Canario on Wednesday as the Cubs send southpaw Matthew Boyd to the bump for the series finale.

Yorke will start in right field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Yorke will stick in the lineup for the fifth straight contest and for the seventh time in eight games. He's yet to take advantage of receiving ample playing time in September, as he's slashing just .167/.189/.222 with no home runs, one stolen base, five RBI and one run in 37 plate appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis at the start of the month.

Horwitz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

The left-handed-hitting Horwitz will hit the bench for the series finale while the Cubs send southpaw Matthew Boyd to the bump. Rafael Flores will step in for Horwitz on Wednesday to make his first MLB start.

Stephenson is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in St. Louis.

Stephenson started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he'll get a breather for Wednesday's matinee. Jose Trevino will fill in behind the dish and bat eighth for the Reds.

Hayes is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in St. Louis.

Hayes will receive Wednesday off after going hitless across his last four games. Sal Stewart will handle third base and bat fifth in Wednesday's matinee.

Friedl is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in St. Louis.

Friedl will receive a rare day off in the matinee contest after he had started in every game for the Reds since Aug. 27. Will Benson will patrol center field and bat third in Wednesday's rubber match.