MLB Player News

Ramirez will start at second base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Ramirez will claim a fifth straight start and his third in a row at the keystone as the Cubs go for a series sweep of their crosstown rivals. With Dansby Swanson (oblique) landing on the injured list Monday and likely to miss most, if not all, of the remainder of the regular season, Nico Hoerner will serve as the Cubs' everyday shortstop. Second base is open for Ramirez to stake a claim to a regular spot in the lineup, though he could fade back into a utility role once Matt Shaw (hand) returns from the injured list. Ramirez has held his own at the plate during his rookie season, slashing .289/.345/.422 with two home runs, seven stolen bases, 20 runs and 15 RBI over 149 plate appearances.

Conforto is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the White Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Conforto started against a lefty opener Tuesday, but he will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench as southpaw Sean Newcomb takes the ball first for the White Sox. Conforto could enter mid-game once the White Sox turn to righty Jose Urquidy in bulk relief.

Amaya is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Amaya has seen his playing time tick up in the second half and entered play Wednesday having started behind the plate in four of the Cubs' last six contests. However, it will be Carson Kelly doing the catching as the Cubs try to finish off the sweep.

Dubon is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Atlanta appears to have five players -- Dubon, Dominic Smith, Jim Jarvis, Mike Yastrzemski and Sean Murphy -- vying for three spots in the lineup against right-handed pitching for any given game. Dubon and Murphy will end up being the odd men out Wednesday, and the former player has now sat twice in Atlanta's last four games.

Rodriguez had his first career four-hit game at Double-A Springfield on Tuesday and is slashing .361/.429/.660 with 13 home runs and 18 doubles over his last 47 games.

Rodriguez collected just a .527 OPS in his first 21 games after being promoted to Springfield, but the top prospect has adjusted and is now surging. The 19-year-old has put up a 1.239 OPS in August and is currently riding a streak of 39 plate appearances without a strikeout. Rodriguez has seen the majority of his starts this season at catcher (55), but he's also been used at first base (21) and designated hitter (20).

Cortes (biceps) agreed Wednesday with the Phillies on a major-league contract, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 31-year-old southpaw had been unsigned since the end of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery in October to repair a tendon tear in his throwing arm, but he's made a full recovery from the procedure and recently threw for multiple teams. He'll elect to continue his career with the Phillies, who didn't add to their rotation ahead of trade deadline and are lacking in dependable arms beyond their elite trio of starters (Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo). Cortes will first report to the Phillies' Single-A affiliate in Clearwater, but once he's stretched out enough to handle five innings, he could supplant Andrew Painter (6.43 ERA, 1.55 WHIP over 85.1 innings) as the Phillies' No. 5 starter.

Mets interim manager Andy Green said Wednesday that Polanco will undergo season-ending surgery on his left ankle, Steve Gelbs of SNY.tv reports.

Polanco has been limited to only 37 games with the Mets while battling a nagging ankle/Achilles issue throughout the campaign. It's unclear what the exact nature of the procedure will be or how long his rehab might last, though Green said that the 33-year-old should be ready to take part in baseball activities by the start of spring training, per David Lennon of Newsday. Polanco --who is set to earn $23 million in 2027 in his final year under contract -- finishes his first season in New York with an ugly .148/.201/.230 slash line over 145 plate appearances. He made his first two starts of the season at first base but served exclusively as a designated hitter thereafter, so he'll likely be eligible only as a utility player in most fantasy leagues at the start of the 2027 campaign.

Fermin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Fermin had started behind the plate in three of the previous four contests but will cede catching duties to Luis Campusano for the series finale at Citi Field. The two backstops are likely to be used in a near-even timeshare moving forward, with Fermin's defensive prowess allowing him to retain playing time despite Campusano having been the far more productive hitter.

Sheets is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

After taking a seat for Tuesday's 5-2 win while southpaw Zac Thornton started for the Mets, the left-handed-hitting Sheets will remain on the bench against a righty (Robert Stock) for the series finale in New York. Sheets will give up his spot in the starting nine to Sung-Mun Song, who will cover third base while Manny Machado serves as the Friars' designated hitter.

Flores is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Flores will hit the bench after he started in each of the last six games -- three at catcher, three at first base -- while going 8-for-21 with three home runs, one double, two walks, eight RBI and six runs. He should continue to see regular reps at first base against left-handed pitching as part of a platoon with the left-handed-hitting Spencer Horwitz, and Flores has performed well enough lately to earn more playing time behind the plate at the expense of Henry Davis, who has generated a lowly .426 OPS since the All-Star break.