MLB Player News

Horton (ribs) threw in the outfield Friday and the Cubs expect him to be ready to pitch during next week's National League Wild Card Series versus the Padres, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Horton underwent an MRI after exiting his last outing due to back tightness, and the imaging revealed an area of concern in his ribcage area. However, while the rookie right-hander does not appear to be 100 percent, the plan is to give him the ball against the Padres, likely in Game 1. Horton finished his first major-league season with a 2.67 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 97:33 K:BB over 118 innings.

Donovan is expected to play only in an emergency during the Cardinals' final series of the season against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports

Donovan is banged up, tending to general soreness and a groin injury. Now that the Cardinals are eliminated from the postseason, the club has no incentive to put him on the lineup card over the final few games. While Donovan is idle, look for Nolan Gorman or Jose Fermin to handle second base duties. Donovan will likely end the season with a .287/.353/.422 slash line, 10 home runs, 50 RBI and 64 runs in 515 plate appearances.

The Cubs optioned Santana to the Arizona Complex League on Friday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Santana had to agree to the option, and he will be part of the Cubs' taxi squad during next week's National League Wild Card Series against the Padres. The veteran first baseman has gone 2-for-19 at the plate since signing with Chicago at the end of August.

Donovan is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Donovan has been battling general soreness and a minor groin injury this week, and he'll get the day off Friday to rest. In his place, Nolan Gorman will bat fifth and play second base.

Tucker (calf) will be activated from the 10-day injured list and included in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Tucker has been cleared to return after missing the last three-plus weeks with a left calf strain. It's not clear whether he will play the outfield or be used at designated hitter, but either way the Cubs will be happy to get Tucker's bat back into their lineup.

Marte went 1-for-4 with a single and a run scored in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.

Marte, who homered in a 4-3 extra-innings win Wednesday, helped keep the Reds' postseason hopes alive for a second consecutive day. He singled in Cincinnati's first run and scored what eventually was the game-deciding run in the fifth inning. He wasn't done. In the ninth inning, the converted infielder robbed Bryan Reynolds of a game-tying home run over the right-field wall and preserved the win. With Austin Hays (back) still unavailable, Marte should continue to play daily.

Hays (back) was feeling better Thursday but not available to play, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Hays, who didn't respond well to running earlier in the week, has missed the last four games. It's unclear when, or if, Hays will be able to rejoin the club, which is still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Reds manager Terry Francona indicated Thursday that placement on the injured list is unlikely, as that would force Hays to miss postseason action, should Cincinnati qualify. "I think we're much better off trying to see if we can nurse him through this and have him be available," the manager said. Will Benson has started in left field all four games without Hays.

Sanchez is listed as the Phillies' probable starter for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Twins.

Philadelphia seemed likely to hold Sanchez out for any potential wild-card matchup, but after clinching a first-round bye in the postseason with a win Wednesday, the team has since decided to start Sanchez on Sunday in a final tuneup before Game 1 of the NLDS on Oct. 4. It could be something of an abbreviated start for Sanchez, who will not be winning the NL Cy Young over Paul Skenes but should be a finalist for the award after his first career 200-strikeout campaign.

Walker threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Thursday's win over the Marlins, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three to earn a hold.

Walker piggybacked Walker Buehler -- who started the game with five scoreless frames -- as the Phillies prepare and align their pitching staff for the postseason after clinching a first-round bye Wednesday. A longtime starter in the majors, Walker has taken well to relief work, posting a 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 19 innings out of the bullpen this season compared to a 4.25 ERA and 1.45 WHIP as a starter.

Ritter went 3-for-4 in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Mariners.

Ritter did his part to get on base, but he wasn't directly involved in any run-scoring plays. He's seen a part-time role in September, batting .237 (9-for-38) over 14 games this month. The infielder is at a .251/.301/.352 slash line with one home runs, three stolen bases, 18 RBI, 22 runs scored, nine doubles and three triples over 197 plate appearances in the majors this season.