MLB Player News

The Cubs placed Boxberger on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Boxberger already missed nearly four months earlier this year due to a forearm injury, and his latest trip to the injured list will keep him out for the rest of the regular season and the first part of a potential Cubs playoff run. Keegan Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to fill Boxberger's spot in the bullpen.

Marsh isn't in the Phillies' lineup Saturday against the Mets.

Marsh will stay put in the dugout as left-handed starter Jose Quintana toes the slab for the Mets. Kyle Schwarber will fill in as Philadelphia's left fielder, moving Bryce Harper into the DH spot, Alec Bohm to first base and Edmundo Sosa in as the starting third baseman.

Stott isn't in the Phillies' lineup Saturday against the Mets.

Left-hander Jose Quintana will start on the mound for New York, so the lefty-hitting Stott will retreat to the bench for the beginning of the game. Rodolfo Castro will start at the keystone and bat ninth.

Brebbia will open Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Brebbia has been used as an opener often this season, as Saturday will mark his ninth time starting on the mound. Brebbia has given up four runs (three earned) over 5.2 innings since returning from the injured list Sept. 5, and he will presumably stay in the game for an inning or two before turning things over to Ross Stripling.

Cubs manager David Ross said Saturday that Assad will pitch out of the bullpen going forward, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

With Marcus Stroman returning to the rotation and starting Saturday, Assad will officially end up as the odd man out. The 26-year-old righty has given up eight runs over 13.2 innings across his last three starts and will serve as a multi-inning reliever during the Cubs' final push for a playoff berth.

Candelario (back) resumed baseball activities Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Candelario is already eligible to return from the injured list after suffering a lower-back strain in mid-September. He had slumped to a .083/.227/.278 line in the 13 games prior to hitting the injured list, however, so the Cubs will want to make sure he's right before activating him.

Alzolay (forearm) will play catch Saturday after his bullpen session Friday went well, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Alzolay will be eligible to return from a forearm strain as soon as Tuesday, and given his steady progress, a return on or around that date would seem to be in play. The Cubs enter play Saturday with a one-game lead for the third and final NL Wild Card spot, so they'll want to have Alzolay available for as much of the final week as possible if he is indeed cleared to return.

McLain (oblique) was sent to Triple-A Louisville on a rehab assignment Saturday.

McLain remains on track to be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. The infielder had resumed taking batting practice earlier in the week as he nears the end of his recovery from a right oblique strain.

The Cardinals list Woodford as their probable starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Padres in San Diego.

Before he was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Woodford had been getting stretched out as a starter in the minors, covering no fewer than three innings in any of his last four outings. However, the Cardinals deployed him out of the bullpen against Milwaukee on Tuesday, when he struck out three over 2.2 scoreless innings. Though he'll be starting Saturday, Woodford will be taking the hill on three days' rest, so he probably can't be expected to cover the five innings he would need to hit to qualify for a win. Woodford will be taking the rotation spot of Adam Wainwright, who isn't scheduled to start this weekend but could work out of the bullpen if the Cardinals need someone to eat innings once Woodford exits the contest.

Garcia was charged with a blown save as a result of giving up one run on two hits and a walk against St. Louis on Friday. His only out came via a strikeout.

Garcia was summoned from the bullpen to begin the eighth inning with San Diego clinging to a 2-1 lead. The right-hander couldn't get the job done, allowing a run to score on a Paul Goldschmidt single and a Jordan Walker triple before he was able to record an out. Garcia was then lifted after issuing a one-out walk to Ivan Herrera, but Robert Suarez was able to retire the next two batters without allowing another run to cross the plate to save Garcia's ERA from further damage. After racking up 11 consecutive scoreless appearances covering 13.2 frames between Aug. 19 and Sept. 15, Garcia has now allowed three earned runs across his past three outings covering two innings.