MLB Player News

Gurriel was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Angels due to a stomach illness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This doesn't sound like anything too serious, so those in leagues with weekend lineup changes will likely want to stay with Gurriel unless they have a strong alternative. Gurriel missed some time earlier this month with a hamstring issue, but he's returned with a vengeance, going 7-for-23 with home runs in each of his last three games.

Cooper (knee) remains on the bench Friday against Washington.

A knee issue has now kept Cooper out of action for a week. It's not yet clear when he's expected to return. Lewis Brinson starts in right field in his absence.

Rizzo (ankle) will remain in the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Rizzo suffered a moderate ankle sprain Sunday but was back in the lineup just four days later, hitting a solo homer in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals. Manager Joe Maddon cast some doubt on Rizzo's ability to play back-to-back games right away, but the first baseman is evidently able to tough it out. His presence is certainly a boon for the Cubs, who now sit one game out of the second wild-card spot after Thursday's loss. Rizzo will lead off and play first base Friday.

Bohm recorded four hits, a run and a pair of RBI in his Arizona Fall League debut Thursday.

The third overall pick in the 2018 draft, Bohm tore through Low-A Lakewood, High-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading this season, hitting a combined .305/.378/.518. He showed both good power and a strong ability to make contact, striking out just 13.5 percent of the time. Bohm should start next year in Triple-A Lehigh Valley but may not take long to reach the big leagues, as the Phillies have a hole at third base due to the stagnation of Maikel Franco.

Casas was named the Offensive Player of the Year in the Red Sox minor-league system, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Casas, the team's first-round in 2018, slashed .256/.350/.480 with 20 homers, 26 doubles, five triples and 81 RBI in 118 games at Low-A Greenville and two games at High-A Salem this season. He entered the organization as a third baseman but was used primarily at first base in 2019. With Rafael Devers locked in at the hot corner for the next few seasons, Casas moved across the diamond to a position of need within the organization.

Calhoun went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Yankees.

Calhoun accounted for the Angels' only run with a 410-foot blast to right center field in the fourth inning. The 32-year-old continues to build upon his single-season career high in homers with four long balls in his last seven games. He is slashing .235/.328/.478 with 32 home runs and 72 RBI in 143 games this season.

Manager Joe Maddon is unsure if Rizzo (ankle) will be able to play Friday against the Cardinals, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Rizzo was a surprising addition to Thursday night's lineup, and while he did contribute with a solo home run, the slugger obviously wasn't close to 100 percent. His availability for the remainder of the series should become more clear after he's re-evaluated Friday. Victor Caratini figures to take over at first base if Rizzo is unable to go.

Rizzo (ankle) was added to the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

It was thought that Rizzo was still a few days away from being ready to play, but he worked out prior to Thursday's game without issue, so the Cubs felt comfortable getting him back in the lineup right away. Rizzo will lead off and play first base in his return.

Guerrero (ribs) is starting at third base and hitting cleanup Thursday against the Orioles.

He left Wednesday's game with a left rib issue after colliding with Jonathan Villar at second base, but the injury was apparently minor. Guerrero is hitting .212 with zero home runs in 13 games this month.

O'Hearn is not in Thursday's lineup against the Twins.

He heads to the bench even with the Royals facing a righty (Kyle Gibson) in this one. Ryan McBroom will start at first base and hit sixth.