MLB Player News

Cruz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Cruz has now exited the starting nine in four of the Pirates' last seven games, though three of his absences have come with left-handed pitchers on the bump for the opposition. He'll cede center field to Alexander Canario on Wednesday as the Cubs send southpaw Matthew Boyd to the bump for the series finale.

Yorke will start in right field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Yorke will stick in the lineup for the fifth straight contest and for the seventh time in eight games. He's yet to take advantage of receiving ample playing time in September, as he's slashing just .167/.189/.222 with no home runs, one stolen base, five RBI and one run in 37 plate appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis at the start of the month.

Horwitz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

The left-handed-hitting Horwitz will hit the bench for the series finale while the Cubs send southpaw Matthew Boyd to the bump. Rafael Flores will step in for Horwitz on Wednesday to make his first MLB start.

Stephenson is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in St. Louis.

Stephenson started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he'll get a breather for Wednesday's matinee. Jose Trevino will fill in behind the dish and bat eighth for the Reds.

Hayes is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in St. Louis.

Hayes will receive Wednesday off after going hitless across his last four games. Sal Stewart will handle third base and bat fifth in Wednesday's matinee.

Friedl is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in St. Louis.

Friedl will receive a rare day off in the matinee contest after he had started in every game for the Reds since Aug. 27. Will Benson will patrol center field and bat third in Wednesday's rubber match.

Castro is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Castro had started in right field in each of the three games, but he'll hit the bench while Seiya Suzuki (illness) returns to the starting nine after missing each of the last five contests. Though the Cubs have an opening in right field while Kyle Tucker (calf) remains on the injured list, manager Craig Counsell could turn to Suzuki to fill the void in order to open up the designated-hitter spot for Moises Ballesteros, who has gone 7-for-18 with a home run, a triple and three walks. Ballesteros will be included in the lineup Wednesday and could be prioritized over Castro while the former is swinging the hotter bat of the two.

Steer (neck) will start at first base and bat seventh in Wednesday's game versus the Cardinals.

Steer had been scheduled to start Monday's game but was scratched due to neck spasms. However, he had a chiropractic adjustment Tuesday and is ready to play in Wednesday's series finale. Steer has been losing reps to Sal Stewart at first base, but Stewart will handle third base in Wednesday's contest.

The Cardinals will place Contreras (biceps) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right biceps strain, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The strain is considered mild, but it is bad enough to end the first baseman's season with less than two weeks remaining. Contreras will finish 2025 with a .257/.344/.447 batting line, 20 home runs and 80 RBI over 135 games. Alec Burleson will take over as the team's everyday first baseman down the stretch, opening up more playing time in the outfield for Jordan Walker and others.

Davis is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Cubs.

Davis started behind the plate in Tuesday's 4-1 loss, but Wednesday will mark the third time he's been out of the lineup over the last four contests. Prior to that, he had started four times over a five-game stretch. Joey Bart will step in behind the dish and bat fifth Wednesday.