MLB Player News

Goldschmidt (back) is starting at first base and batting second Friday against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Goldschmidt has sat out the Cardinals' last two games while dealing with back tightness, but the issue seems to have subsided ahead of Friday's contest. The 36-year-old first baseman has been held hitless (0-for-8) over his last three games.

The Nationals transferred Adams (wrist) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Adams underwent season-ending surgery on his left hand/wrist Sept. 11, so his move to the 60-day IL is simply procedural. The 27-year-old slashed .273/.331/.476 with 21 RBI through 158 plate appearances in 2023, and he is expected to be fully recovered before the start of spring training. Tanner Rainey (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list to fill Adams' spot on the 40-man roster.

The Nationals placed Garcia on the paternity list Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Garcia is allowed to miss up to three games as he spends time with his expanding family, which would keep him out for the rest of the year. Tanner Rainey (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move and will take Garcia's place in the bullpen.

The Nationals reinstated Rainey (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Rainey has been on the shelf all year while recovering from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in August 2022. He began a rehab assignment in early August of this year and posted a 3.75 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through 12 innings while striking out 13 batters and walking six. Rainey may make an appearance out of the Nats' bullpen before the end of the year, but he doesn't figure to serve in a prominent role as he re-adjusts to major-league batters.

Winans is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Nationals at Truist Park.

Max Fried (finger) and Charlie Morton (finger) are closing the regular season on the injured list, so Atlanta will at least temporarily have room in the rotation for Winans. In his return to the big leagues last weekend for a doubleheader in Washington, Winans took a loss in the opener of the twin bill while striking out six and giving up two earned runs over five innings. Through five starts with the big club this season, Winans owns a 1-2 record to go with a 4.33 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.

Woodford is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Reds at Busch Stadium.

Woodford will make a second straight turn through the rotation in what will likely mark his final appearance of 2023. In his return from Triple-A Memphis last weekend in San Diego, Woodford struck out one over 3.2 innings and gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks. He threw 78 pitches in that outing, so Woodford should be fully stretched out Friday.

Crawford (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Crawford was placed on the IL on Sept. 21 with a right hamstring strain, but he's pushing to return for the season finale. Assuming he endures no setbacks with his hamstring and is activated Sunday, he could be making the final start of his 13-year tenure with the Giants. The 36-year-old is set to become a free agent this winter, and while he has yet to decide whether he wants to continue playing in 2024, if he chooses to forgo retirement he likely won't have much of a market after producing a lowly .595 OPS over 316 plate appearances thus far in 2023. Marco Luciano and Casey Schmitt figure to be the top options to replace Crawford at shortstop next season.

Megill's next start will be pushed back after Friday's game between the Phillies and Mets was postponed due to inclement weather, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The two teams will now play a doubleheader Saturday, with Megill presumably getting the ball in one of those contests. It will be the second start in a row against the Phillies for Megill, who yielded three runs over six innings in a no-decision his last time out.

Walker's next start will be pushed back after Friday's game between the Phillies and Mets was postponed due to rain, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday, with Walker presumably now slated to start one of those contests. The right-hander will be looking for win No. 16 as he closes out his regular season.

Cabrera will start for the Marlins on Friday in Pittsburgh, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Cabrera was seemingly either going to start Friday or Saturday and the Marlins have decided to hand him the ball in the series opener. Given the state of Miami's pitching staff, they could really use some length out of Cabrera on Friday. Unfortunately, he hasn't gone six innings in a start in the majors since early June.