MLB Player News

Garcia (wrist) isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Garcia will be missing his second straight start Thursday as a result of wrist discomfort that flared up during Tuesday's contest. As he continues to recover, Darren Baker will pick up a start at the keystone and bat eighth.

Gallo isn't in Washington's lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Gallo's two home runs since the start of September represent the only hits he's tallied in his last 32 at-bats, so the Nats will sit him down Thursday in an effort to find more production at the plate. Juan Yepez will fill in as Washington's first baseman and bat seventh.

Merryweather will undergo surgery on his right knee Friday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Merryweather has been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa since last Friday, during which he's thrown two scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking one. However, his attempt at a return this season will be put to an abrupt end, as he's elected to undergo surgery to address the tendinitis in his knee. A recovery timeline will likely emerge after the 32-year-old goes under the knife.

Busch isn't in the Cubs' lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

After going 1-for-10 with an RBI and four strikeouts during Chicago's previous series against Oakland, Busch will take a seat to begin the Cubs' four-game set with Washington. Patrick Wisdom will cover first base in his stead and bat sixth.

Albies (wrist) will be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's game in Miami, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Things were pointing in that direction, but Atlanta presumably wanted to wait to see how he bounced back from a couple rehab games with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday and Wednesday before officially clearing him to return to the active roster. The switch-hitting Albies will bat exclusively from the right side upon his return, at least initially, due to continued discomfort in his fractured left hand when swinging from the left side.

McCutchen is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in St. Louis.

McCutchen had a couple hits and scored a run in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals, but he will begin Thursday's series finale on the bench. The Pirates are going with Bryan Reynolds at designated hitter and Nick Yorke in left field.

Bart is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in St. Louis.

Bart started each of the first three games of the series (two at catcher, one at designated hitter), but he'll take a seat for the finale. Yasmani Grandal will be behind the plate and bat eighth.

Cruz (ankle) will start in center field and bat third in Thursday's game versus the Cardinals.

Cruz made a pinch-hit appearance Tuesday, but this will be his first start since he departed Sunday's game against the Royals due to left ankle discomfort. The 25-year-old is one home run shy of a 20-20 campaign but has a .574 OPS through 49 at-bats in September.

Adames isn't in the Brewers' lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

After clinching the NL Central on Wednesday, the Brewers will now give Adames his first off day of the season. Joey Ortiz will fill in as Milwaukee's shortstop while Andruw Monasterio starts at third base and bats ninth.

Hoskins is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The Brewers have most of their regulars in there the day after clinching the National League Central, but Hoskins is getting the night off. Jake Bauers will play first base and Garrett Mitchell will be the designated hitter in the series opener.