MLB Player News

The Cubs activated Hollowell (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hollowell has been out since late July with right shoulder inflammation, but he's ready to go after making four rehab appearances. He's taking the roster spot vacated by Edward Cabrera, who was placed on the family medical emergency list.

The Cubs placed Cabrera on the family medical emergency list Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Cabrera will miss the final series of the regular season but should be back for the wild-card series, though it's no guarantee the Cubs will include him on the roster. The 28-year-old has allowed five runs with a 4:4 K:BB over four innings covering three appearances since being moved to the bullpen.

Kelly is absent from the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader versus the Red Sox.

Miguel Amaya will do the catching and bat ninth in the first game of the double dip. Kelly should be back behind the dish for the nightcap.

Happ is not in the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader in Boston.

Happ is likely to be back in there for the second game of the twin bill, but he'll begin the first tilt on the bench. Tyrone Taylor will play left field and will bat cleanup for the Cubs.

Bregman (face) will start at designated hitter and bat third in the first game of Friday's doubleheader in Boston.

Bregman sustained multiple facial fractures and a swollen left eye after being struck by a ball while in the on-deck circle during Sunday's game against the Reds. He did not require surgery, however, and the 32-year-old has made a rapid recovery to return to the Cubs' lineup as he gets ramped back up ahead of the postseason.

Marte is slated to start Friday's game against the Dodgers in San Francisco.

Marte will receive a second straight turn through the Giants rotation in what should be his final outing of the season. Through four appearances (two starts) since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 29, Marte has turned in a 4.66 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Isbel went 2-for-3 in Thursday's 9-1 loss to the White Sox.

Isbel picked up a pair of singles, marking his first multi-hit effort since Sept. 3. It's been an ice-cold end to the 2026 campaign for the outfielder, as he's hitting just .148/.164/.148 with no RBI and five runs in 20 September contests. On the year, Isbel is slashing .220/.264/.321 with six homers, 24 RBI, 31 runs and six stolen bases over 98 games.

Early (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list to make his Nationals debut at some point during this weekend's series versus the Mets, MLB.com reports.

Acquired from the Red Sox back on July 26, Early finally appears ready to join the Nationals following a lengthy recovery from left elbow inflammation. He made his second and final rehab appearance this past Sunday at Triple-A Rochester, yielding three unearned runs over 1.2 innings while tossing 40 pitches. Since Early isn't stretched out enough to handle a traditional starting role, the Nationals could look to have him piggyback either Jake Irvin or DJ Herz, who will start Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Rafaela is not in the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Rafaela didn't have to miss any starts because of a right hamstring cramp that he suffered Wednesday versus the Guardians. Presumably, he's simply resting for the first game Friday and will be back in action for the nightcap. Jarren Duran will play center field for the Red Sox during the afternoon tilt.

Assad has made his last four appearances out of the Cubs bullpen, yielding two earned runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out two batters over four innings.

Since making a 4.2-inning spot start against the Marlins on Sept. 5, Assad has shifted back into a relief role. After clinching a wild-card berth Thursday, the Cubs will have little at stake in the regular-season finale Saturday in Boston, so the team could look to get by with a bullpen game that day to keep all of their rotation arms fresh for the playoffs. If Assad isn't needed in Friday's doubleheader, he could end up covering multiple innings as a starter or bulk reliever in Saturday's contest.