MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Wicks to the Arizona Complex League on Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After posting a 7.94 ERA and 1.94 WHIP across 11.1 innings with the big club this season, Wicks will head down to the Cubs' facility in Arizona to stay sharp now that the minor-league season is over. His departure clears room on the active roster for Daniel Palencia's (shoulder) return from the injured list.

The Cubs reinstated Palencia (shoulder) from the injured list Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Palencia has been sidelined since Sept. 8 due to a strained right shoulder, although he pitched in a rehab game Saturday, during which he gave up an unearned run and struck out two batters over two-thirds of an inning. The Cubs will now likely aim to get him a few more big-league appearances before he serves as the team's primary closer during the postseason. Jordan Wicks was optioned to the Arizona Complex League in a corresponding move.

Keaschall was diagnosed with a sprained left thumb and will be out for the rest of the 2025 season, Audra Martin of FanDuel Sports Network North reports.

Keaschall suffered the injury while stealing second base in the second inning of Tuesday's game against the Rangers. He'll see a specialist next week to evaluate the severity of the sprain, but Martin relays that surgery is on the table. Keaschall burst onto the scene following his major-league debut April 18 but was out of action for just over three months due to a fractured right forearm. He'll end the 2025 season with a .302/.382/.445 slash line, 14 steals, 25 runs, 14 doubles, four home runs and 28 RBI over 207 plate appearances.

Freeman is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Twins on Wednesday.

Freeman will be on the bench for the beginning of Wednesday's game while Ezequiel Duran starts at second base and bats sixth. Freeman has gone 15-for-62 (.242) with one steal, six runs, two homers and nine RBI since Sept. 1.

Chapman isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Chapman will take a seat for Wednesday's series finale after going 2-for-8 with an RBI and two runs scored over the first two games versus St. Louis. Casey Schmitt will shift over to third base as a result, opening up second for Christian Koss.

Bailey isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Cardinals, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey will get a chance to catch his breath Wednesday after going 4-for-8 with two RBI and three runs scored over the first two games of the series. Andrew Knizner will fill in for him behind the dish and bat ninth.

Garcia is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Twins on Wednesday.

Garcia returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing the prior two games due to a lingering quad issue. He'll be available off the bench for Wednesday's tilt while Billy McKinney -- whose contract was selected by the Rangers from Triple-A Round Rock -- starts in right field and bats seventh.

Burger is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Twins on Wednesday.

Burger has gone 0-for-17 with eight strikeouts and one RBI over his last five games. He'll be on the bench for the beginning of Wednesday's contest while Rowdy Tellez starts at first base and bats out of the cleanup spot.

Hernaiz isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus Houston.

Hernaiz will grab a seat on the bench Wednesday after going 1-for-13 over his last four games. His absence will allow Max Schuemann to start at the keystone and bat seventh.

Smith (elbow) is starting at shortstop and batting second against the Twins on Wednesday.

Smith was held out of Tuesday's series opener due to a left elbow infection, but he has been cleared to play in Wednesday's tilt. He has not recorded a hit in any of his last four games and has gone 11-for-55 (.200) with three steals, six runs and one RBI since Sept. 1.