Espinal started at second base and went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Cleveland.

Espinal filled in at second base for Jonathan India, who was held out of the starting lineup after clearing concussion protocol. Espinal's in a skid to end the season, going 4-for-37 (.108) over the 11 games, but he's been productive overall during the second half.

Paredes went 4-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to the Phillies.

Paredes collected his first four-hit game of the season along with his first stolen base. The 25-year-old isn't known for his speed, as he now has just two career MLB steals, but he is only one long ball shy of reaching the 20-homer plateau for the third straight year. Heading into 2025, Paredes should continue to derive much of his fantasy value from his ability to hit with power.

The Cubs optioned Mastrobuoni to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Kevin Alcantara was called up from Iowa to take Mastrobuoni's spot on the 28-man active roster. Mastrobuoni will likely finish the 2024 season with a .194/.245/.224 slash line in 50 games for the Cubs.

Cook is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Cook will hit the bench after he went 3-for-14 with a solo home run and a stolen base while starting each of the past four games at four different positions (first base, left field, right field and center field). First base could end up being the primary home for Cook over the final four games of the season after the Pirates moved Rowdy Tellez off the 40-man roster Tuesday.

Bohm is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Bohm appears to be receiving a routine day off after he had started each of the Phillies' last seven games following his return from the 10-day injured list Sept. 15. Kody Clemens will fill in for Bohm at third base Wednesday.

Triolo went 3-for-4 with an RBI on Tuesday against the Brewers.

Triolo has an ugly overall line this season, but since taking over a regular role at third base in the absence of Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) in mid-August, Triolo has hit .277 with seven extra-base hits across 112 at-bats. He also has four homers and three steals across 35 games in that span.

Vientos went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to Atlanta.

The 24-year-old spoiled Spencer Schwellenbach's shutout bid in the seventh inning when he drove the first pitch he saw the other way for a 346-foot homer. Vientos has had an up-and-down September, but he's racked up seven hits in the last six games, including a double and two long balls, despite striking out 11 times in 25 plate appearances. He's overall had a successful first extended look at big-league pitching, posting a .270/.328/.523 slash line with 26 home runs and 68 RBI in 107 contests this season, but the Mets may need a little more from him if they're going to hang onto a wild-card spot.

Schunk went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and two total runs scored in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Schunk's playing time remains inconsistent, but he has hit safely in his last six games, going 8-for-16 in that span. The infielder is up to a .228/.265/.342 slash line with two homers, five RBI, 12 runs scored and three doubles over 83 plate appearances in the majors this season. He's also struck out at a 30.1 percent rate, which has limited his effectiveness when he gets a look in the lineup.

Muncy (side) is starting at third base and batting fifth Tuesday against the Padres, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The third baseman was scratched from the lineup Sunday against the Rockies due to side soreness, but he's ready to play following Monday's team off day. Muncy started off September by going 0-for-11, but he has a .286/.446/.643 slash line with three doubles, four homers, 11 RBI and 12 runs in his past 14 games.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Tuesday that Riley (hand) won't return this season, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.

The 27-year-old underwent a CT scan Monday which showed that his hand fracture is healing slower than expected, which will prevent Riley from having a chance to take the field again this season. Atlanta is currently 1.5 games back of the final wild-card spot in the National League, but Riley won't be an option to play even if the team makes a playoff run. The third baseman closes out 2024 with 19 homers, 56 RBI, 63 runs and a .256/.322/.461 slash line in 110 games.