MLB Player News

Castro will start at third base and bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Castro doesn't have a clear path to an everyday role in Chicago, but his versatility will allow him to stick in the lineup for the third time in five games. Though Castro will be filling in Thursday for a resting Matt Shaw, the latter player has performed well since the All-Star break and seems to be strengthening his grip on a regular spot in the starting nine.

Nimmo (neck) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Nimmo was removed from Wednesday's 5-4 loss due to neck stiffness, which he first experienced after waking up earlier that morning. The outfielder has a history of neck issues, but the Mets believe he will be ready to play at some point this weekend against Atlanta. Tyrone Taylor will start in left field for the Mets on Thursday.

Goodman is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Dodgers.

Goodman will receive a routine day off after he started each of the first three games of the four-game set. Braxton Fulford will fill in at catcher and bat sixth.

Karros is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Dodgers.

Karros will miss a second straight start while he deals with back tightness. He's considered day-to-day and will attempt to return to the lineup sometime over the weekend in Pittsburgh. Orlando Arcia will man the hot corner and bat eighth for the Rockies on Thursday.

Kelly is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Brewers.

Kelly started at catcher in the Cubs' 4-3 win Wednesday night, so he will get a break for Thursday's matinee. Reese McGuire will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth for the Cubs.

Shaw is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Brewers.

Shaw slugged his 11th home run of the season in Wednesday's 4-3 victory but will get a breather in Thursday's series finale. Willi Castro will man third base and bat seventh for the Cubs.

Tucker will start in right field and bat second in Thursday's game against the Brewers.

The Cubs gave Tucker a three-game break as he navigates through an extended slump in which he's slashed .195/.333/.242 since the beginning of July. Manager Craig Counsell also revealed Wednesday that Tucker was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his right hand back on June 1, though that injury is now healed. The Cubs have won three straight games with Tucker out of the lineup and will go for four in a row Thursday with their All-Star outfielder back in starting nine.

Ballesteros could return to the majors later in the season to give the Cubs a left-handed bench bat for the stretch run, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com report.

Ballesteros got a brief taste of the majors earlier in the season, appearing in six games for the Cubs, but he's spent most of the year with Triple-A Iowa. The 21-year-old catching prospect has excelled at the level, posting a .321 batting average, .865 OPS, 11 home runs and 65 RBI in 99 games. If Ballesteros does return to Chicago at some point, it will be for his bat in the right matchups, as the Cubs seem content with Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire behind the plate, and Miguel Amaya (ankle) could rejoin the team at some point as well.

Marquez (biceps) threw three innings, allowing one earned run on two hits while striking out three in a rehab outing for Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Marquez threw 48 pitches and the only earned run he allowed was a solo home run to Jacob Wilson (forearm). Marquez is slated to throw five innings in his next rehab outing and will be evaluated for a return thereafter.

Iglesias struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 21st save of the season in a 1-0 win over the White Sox.

All eight of Iglesias' pitches found the strike zone in a ruthless performance from the veteran closer. The right-hander held a 6.75 ERA as late as June 5, but since then Iglesias has been one of the best late-inning arms in baseball, posting a 1.52 ERA, 0.61 WHIP and 33:4 K:BB over his last 29.2 innings while converting 13 of 14 save chances.