MLB Player News

Aranda is not in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

Aranda has been playing regularly over the last week, hitting .125 with a .276 OBP and one home run in 24 at-bats over that stretch. Taylor Walls is starting at second base and hitting ninth.

Diaz (shoulder) is not in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

Diaz has not played since Monday, Sept. 19. Isaac Paredes will start at third base while Harold Ramirez gets the start at first base.

Casas went 1-for-2 with three walks, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Yankees.

Casas hit a two-run homer in the second inning then walked with the bases loaded in the sixth to produce a third run. The rookie has shown good defense at first base, but he hasn't hit much. He had just three hits over the first 38 at-bats (.079) in the majors but has hit safely in the first three games of the series against the Yankees, including two home runs. The Red Sox aren't worried and are confident Casas will hit in the majors.

Calhoun went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Guardians.

Calhoun's playing time has dried up, and Saturday's plate appearance was just his eighth over the last 12 games. He's made two starts during that stretch and was removed for a pinch hitter in both. The Rangers have prioritized the development of Leody Taveras, Bubba Thompson and Josh Smith instead.

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.

Rizzo went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in a 7-5 victory over the Red Sox on Saturday.

Rizzo broke a 5-5 tie in the seventh inning by taking John Schreiber deep to right center for his 32nd home run of the season. Rizzo has now tied his career-high total. He has previously reached the 32-HR mark on three separate occasions in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Rizzo appears on the brink of setting a new career-high home run total in what remains of the season.

Pasquantino went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in a loss to the Mariners on Saturday.

Pasquantino entered the contest with no long balls over his previous 19 games, though he had recorded a healthy .302/.400/.365 slash line during that stretch. The big first baseman snapped the homer drought in the first inning, belting a two-run shot to right field to put the Royals on the board. Pasquantino has 27 total homers between the minors (18) and majors (nine) this season after hitting 24 between High-A and Double-A last year.

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.

Vaughn will sit Saturday against the Tigers.

Vaughn still owns a solid .779 OPS on the season, but he'll hit the bench after going 1-for-15 over his last four games. Mark Payton and Gavin Sheets will handle the outfield corners in his absence.