MLB Player News

Cron (hand) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Padres.

Cron will return to the starting nine for the series finale after he was on the bench for each of the Rockies' previous three games due to the left hand injury. The first-time All-Star has noticed a major drop in production in the second half -- he's hitting .214 with eight home runs, 32 RBI and 22 runs in 52 games -- but he should finish the campaign as a near-everyday player now that the hand injury looks to be behind him.

Toglia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Toglia will head to the bench after he struck out a career-high three times in Saturday's 9-3 loss, ending a streak of six consecutive starts. C.J. Cron (hand) is back in the lineup Sunday after a three-game absence, so Toglia is expected to primarily vie with fellow rookie Sean Bouchard for playing time in the corner outfield over the final week and a half of the season.

Cooper is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Cooper started the past six games and will head to the bench after he went 6-for-22 with a home run, three doubles, two RBI and eight strikeouts during that stretch. Brian Anderson will serve as the designated hitter while Jerar Encarnacion starts in right field.

Mervis is on the radar to win a roster spot in spring training next year, according to manager David Ross, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

"There's a big hole for me at first base," Ross said. "No doubt he'll have a great opportunity in front of him moving forward." Mervis has had an outstanding season across the three highest levels of the minors, and his strikeout and walk rates kept trending in the right direction against better competition. The 24-year-old lefty-hitting first baseman slashed .297/.387/.595 with 14 home runs, a 14.2 percent strikeout rate and a 10.7 percent walk rate in 54 games at Triple-A. He has 35 homers on the season. Despite not having any MLB experience, Mervis is arguably the most appealing first baseman on the Cubs' roster for 2023 fantasy value.

Tellez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs scored in Saturday's win over the Reds.

Tellez singled in his second at-bat in the fourth inning and scored on a Hunter Renfroe home run. The first baseman drew a walk in his next plate appearance in the fifth before coming home to score again on a second homer from Renfroe. Tellez's solo shot came in the ninth inning after the Brewers had already put the game well out of reach. He came into Saturday's game with just three hits in his last 30 at-bats, though the home run was his sixth this month.

Freeman was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis due to an illness, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Freeman will sit for the second game in a row, though it's unclear if his off day Friday was anything other than a routine one. Miguel Vargas will make another start at first base in his absence.

Solano (eye) isn't starting Saturday against the Brewers.

Solano was removed from Friday's lineup due to an eye infection, and he'll take a seat once again Saturday. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but TJ Friedl will serve as the designated hitter and lead off.

Rivas isn't starting Saturday against the Pirates.

Rivas started the last two games and went 2-for-8 with a run, a steal and a strikeout. Jared Young is taking over at first base and batting eighth Saturday.

Cron (hand) isn't starting Saturday against the Padres.

Cron continues to deal with a bruised left hand and will be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game. Michael Toglia will take his place at first base and bat fifth.

Olson will sit for the first time this season Saturday against the Phillies.

Atlanta has leaned heavily on its new $168 million man this season, and the workload may be weighing on him. He's faded hard down the stretch, hitting .096/.194/.145 across his last 23 games. Austin Riley will slide over to first base to give him a breather, with Orlando Arcia starting at third.