MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Horton (back) is a go and on track, but there are "areas of concern" in Horton's rib area from the MRI he had Wednesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

The Cubs and Horton will continue to get information and have more doctors look at the MRI, but no more tests will be run. The right-hander was pulled from Tuesday's start versus the Mets due to back tightness, but now it appears that the main concern is with his ribs. It is expected that he will throw Friday after taking the prior two days off. If the rookie remains on track, he should be able to start in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Sept. 30.

Freeman (back) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Mariners.

Freeman will miss a third straight game Thursday since being scratched from the lineup Tuesday with lower-back tightness. While he continues to recover, the Rockies will move Hunter Goodman into the DH spot and start Braxton Fulford at catcher.

Bernabel isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Seattle.

Bernabel will receive a day off after going 0-for-3 during his return from the injured list Wednesday. Blaine Crim will start at first base and bat third.

Alvarez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs due to cramps, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez felt cramping in his lower half toward the end of Wednesday's contest, so manager Carlos Mendoza decided to give him a day to recover Thursday. The skipper noted that Alvarez will be available off the bench, but it will be Luis Torrens behind the plate catching for starter Nolan McLean.

Marte is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Cubs.

Marte almost always plays versus lefties but will begin this one on the bench as southpaw Shota Imanaga toes the rubber for the Cubs. Mark Vientos will start at designated hitter and Brett Baty will play third base.

McNeil is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cubs.

The left-handed-hitting McNeil will take a seat as the Cubs send southpaw Shota Imanaga to the hill. Luisangel Acuna will start at second base and bat ninth.

Alvarez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

After starting and homering in both of the first two games of the series, Alvarez will get a breather for Thursday's finale. Luis Torrens is catching and batting sixth for the Mets.

Ashcraft (4-4) took the loss Thursday against Cincinnati, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

Ashcraft was sharp early, holding the Reds scoreless through his first four innings, but he stumbled in the fifth, allowing a pair of runs after giving up four straight hits to open the frame. While it didn't end on a high note, Ashcraft had a strong rookie campaign as a swingman in Pittsburgh, posting a 2.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 71:24 K:BB across 69.2 innings. He'll likely be in the mix to claim a rotation spot in 2026.

Pagan turned in a perfect ninth inning in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Pirates to earn his 30th save.

Thanks to Noelvi Marte's home-run robbery in the ninth inning, Pagan has now converted his last four save chances while holding opponents scoreless in his last eight innings -- he's allowed just four hits while striking out eight in that span. The veteran right-hander sports a 2.97 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP and 79 strikeouts across 66.2 innings this season.

Lodolo was pulled from Thursday's start versus the Pirates in the seventh inning due to a right groin injury.

The Reds are calling the exit precautionary, suggesting Lodolo would have a chance to be ready for a postseason start next week, should his team qualify. If it was the lefty's final start of the season, he went out on a high note, fanning 12 batters while permitting only two hits and one walk over 6.1 scoreless innings. The stellar performance lowered Lodolo's season ERA to 3.30.