MLB Player News

McDonald is slated to start Friday's game against the Rockies in San Francisco.

The rookie right-hander will be awarded another turn through the rotation after he performed well against the Dodgers in his first MLB start this past Sunday, striking out three while allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk over six innings. McDonald will look to build on that performance with another positive outing against the Rockies, which could improve his chances of being part of the Giants' Opening Day rotation in 2026.

Young is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.

Young isn't part of the starting nine for a second straight game after making three consecutive starts in center field. Robert Hassell will patrol center field instead.

House is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.

House will yield to Paul DeJong at third base for a second straight game. House had started in Washington's four previous contests. The 22-year-old rookie is slashing .236/.255/.327 with four home runs and five stolen bases in 267 plate appearances.

Leahy is lined up to serve as the Cardinals' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

As long as Leahy isn't needed to pitch in relief Friday or Saturday, he'll lead off a bullpen game in the final day of the regular season. Leahy has never started a game at the big-league level, but the Cardinals plan to stretch him out next season for a potential spot in the rotation. The 28-year-old hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his last 15 appearances, so his workload will be limited Sunday.

Kelly is out of the lineup for Friday's game against St. Louis.

Kelly will yield to Reese McGuire behind the dish for Friday's series opener. It looks to be just a rest day for Kelly, who had caught four consecutive games leading up to the contest.

The Cubs activated Tucker (calf) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Tucker has finally been cleared to return to action after missing most of September with a strained left calf. He will start in the designated hitter spot and bat cleanup during Friday's series opener against the Cardinals. Tucker could see regular starts at DH this weekend and during next week's National League Wild Card Series as the Cubs look to protect his calf.

Winn's surgery to repair a torn right meniscus was successful, and he's expected to be a full-go in time for spring training, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 23-year-old shortstop expects to be 100 percent by January. Winn played through the injury for several months before being shut down in mid-September. He slashed .253/.310/.363 with nine home runs and nine stolen bases across 537 plate appearances in 2025.

Horton (ribs) threw in the outfield Friday and the Cubs expect him to be ready to pitch during next week's National League Wild Card Series versus the Padres, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Horton underwent an MRI after exiting his last outing due to back tightness, and the imaging revealed an area of concern in his ribcage area. However, while the rookie right-hander does not appear to be 100 percent, the plan is to give him the ball against the Padres, likely in Game 1. Horton finished his first major-league season with a 2.67 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 97:33 K:BB over 118 innings.

Donovan is expected to play only in an emergency during the Cardinals' final series of the season against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports

Donovan is banged up, tending to general soreness and a groin injury. Now that the Cardinals are eliminated from the postseason, the club has no incentive to put him on the lineup card over the final few games. While Donovan is idle, look for Nolan Gorman or Jose Fermin to handle second base duties. Donovan will likely end the season with a .287/.353/.422 slash line, 10 home runs, 50 RBI and 64 runs in 515 plate appearances.

The Cubs optioned Santana to the Arizona Complex League on Friday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Santana had to agree to the option, and he will be part of the Cubs' taxi squad during next week's National League Wild Card Series against the Padres. The veteran first baseman has gone 2-for-19 at the plate since signing with Chicago at the end of August.