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Ryne Nelson SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Likely to pitch Saturday
Nelson is likely to pitch Saturday in San Diego, either as a traditional starting pitcher or bulk reliever, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
He'll be filling in for the injured Corbin Burnes (shoulder). Nelson is not stretched out to handle a normal starter's workload, as he just returned in a relief role last week after missing more than three months with a right elbow strain. Because of that, it will essentially be a bullpen game for the Diamondbacks.
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Corbin Burnes SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Corbin Burnes: Shelved by shoulder inflammation
The Diamondbacks placed Burnes on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.
Burnes showed diminished velocity in his last start versus the Yankees, serving up three home runs during a four-batter span at one point. The veteran righty had a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery earlier this season when he suffered a teres major strain, though there's no indication at this point that the new injury is related. It's unclear whether Burnes has a chance to pitch at some point in the postseason, should the Diamondbacks qualify. Burnes had been slated to start Saturday's game in San Diego, but that assignment could now go to Ryne Nelson.
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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Exiting starting lineup
Stephenson is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Toronto.
It's a routine day off for Stephenson, who has exceeded 100 starts at catcher this season for the second time in his career. Jose Trevino will be behind the dish in Friday's series opener.
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Michael Busch 1B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Reaches three times in Friday matinee
Busch went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox.
Busch helped lead Chicago's offense in the first game of Friday's twin bill but didn't get enough support in an eventual 4-3 loss. The Chicago first baseman has three multi-hit performances over his last six games, which has pushed his season batting average up to .241 to go along with a .748 OPS. Busch remains limited against left-handed pitchers, and the Cubs will likely try to shield him from those matchups to some degree in the postseason, but he figures to be a lineup regular as they begin their march through the playoffs.
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Aaron Civale RP | CHC
Cubs' Aaron Civale: Takes loss in Game 1 Friday
Civale (6-8) allowed one run on three hits and a walk across 2.1 innings of relief and took the loss in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox.
Civale mostly pitched well but he allowed a single run in the seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie and ultimately take the loss out of the bullpen. This was the veteran righty's first loss since July 10, and in 18 appearances since then, he's got a strong 1.72 ERA across 36.2 innings. That gives Civale some momentum heading into the postseason, and while he's not a high-leverage option for the Cubs, he gives the team someone who can reliably soak up some innings in relief.
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Nasim Nunez 2B | WAS
Nationals' Nasim Nunez: Exiting starting nine
Nunez is not in the lineup for Friday's tilt versus the Mets.
Nunez set a new Nationals record with his 48th and 49th stolen bases in his team's last game Wednesday against the Tigers, but he will begin Friday's series opener on the bench. CJ Abrams will be at shortstop and Jorbit Vivas will handle second base for the Nationals.
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Hancel Rincon RP | STL
Cardinals' Hancel Rincon: Back up from Memphis
The Cardinals recalled Rincon from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.
The 24-year-old reliever made his first two major-league appearances earlier this month at Coors Field and they did not go well, as he was knocked around for seven runs while recording only four outs. Rincon threw 42 pitches in Memphis' final game of the season Thursday, so he won't be available to pitch until at least Saturday and perhaps Sunday.
