MLB Player News

Tucker (calf) will be activated from the 10-day injured list and included in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Tucker has been cleared to return after missing the last three-plus weeks with a left calf strain. It's not clear whether he will play the outfield or be used at designated hitter, but either way the Cubs will be happy to get Tucker's bat back into their lineup.

Marte went 1-for-4 with a single and a run scored in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.

Marte, who homered in a 4-3 extra-innings win Wednesday, helped keep the Reds' postseason hopes alive for a second consecutive day. He singled in Cincinnati's first run and scored what eventually was the game-deciding run in the fifth inning. He wasn't done. In the ninth inning, the converted infielder robbed Bryan Reynolds of a game-tying home run over the right-field wall and preserved the win. With Austin Hays (back) still unavailable, Marte should continue to play daily.

Hays (back) was feeling better Thursday but not available to play, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Hays, who didn't respond well to running earlier in the week, has missed the last four games. It's unclear when, or if, Hays will be able to rejoin the club, which is still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Reds manager Terry Francona indicated Thursday that placement on the injured list is unlikely, as that would force Hays to miss postseason action, should Cincinnati qualify. "I think we're much better off trying to see if we can nurse him through this and have him be available," the manager said. Will Benson has started in left field all four games without Hays.

Sanchez is listed as the Phillies' probable starter for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Twins.

Philadelphia seemed likely to hold Sanchez out for any potential wild-card matchup, but after clinching a first-round bye in the postseason with a win Wednesday, the team has since decided to start Sanchez on Sunday in a final tuneup before Game 1 of the NLDS on Oct. 4. It could be something of an abbreviated start for Sanchez, who will not be winning the NL Cy Young over Paul Skenes but should be a finalist for the award after his first career 200-strikeout campaign.

Walker threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Thursday's win over the Marlins, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three to earn a hold.

Walker piggybacked Walker Buehler -- who started the game with five scoreless frames -- as the Phillies prepare and align their pitching staff for the postseason after clinching a first-round bye Wednesday. A longtime starter in the majors, Walker has taken well to relief work, posting a 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 19 innings out of the bullpen this season compared to a 4.25 ERA and 1.45 WHIP as a starter.

Ritter went 3-for-4 in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Mariners.

Ritter did his part to get on base, but he wasn't directly involved in any run-scoring plays. He's seen a part-time role in September, batting .237 (9-for-38) over 14 games this month. The infielder is at a .251/.301/.352 slash line with one home runs, three stolen bases, 18 RBI, 22 runs scored, nine doubles and three triples over 197 plate appearances in the majors this season.

Blalock (2-6) allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one over 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Mariners.

Blalock gave up at least five runs in each of his last six appearances over a pair of stints in the majors. He ends the regular season with a 9.36 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 27:23 K:BB through 58.2 innings over 14 appearances (12 starts) in the majors. As long as he's pitching for the Rockies, he's unlikely to put up serviceable numbers for fantasy managers.

Imanaga (9-8) allowed eight runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Mets.

Imanaga had one of his worst starts of the year in his regular-season finale. He had not given up more than three earned runs in any of his last 10 starts, pitching to a decent 3.69 ERA over 61 innings in that span. The southpaw ends the regular season at a 3.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 117:26 K:BB across 144.2 innings through 25 starts. Imanaga will likely get a start during the Cubs' wild-card series, as he will be on regular rest as of Tuesday.

Nimmo went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Cubs.

This was Nimmo's fifth multi-hit effort over his last 11 games, a span in which he has hit .319 (15-for-47). He has added three homers and 11 RBI in that span despite racking up 13 strikeouts. The outfielder is up to a .264/.326/.442 slash line with 25 homers, 92 RBI, 81 runs scored, 27 doubles and 12 stolen bases through 152 games this season. He'll set a career high in games played when he next takes the field.

Baty went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a second run scored in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Cubs.

Baty's fourth-inning blast was ultimately the difference, as it gave the Mets a 6-0 lead before the Cubs attempted to push back. The third baseman has had an inconsistent September, collecting multiple hits in just three of his 19 games this month. He's batting a decent .276 (16-for-58) in that span, and he's now at a .255/.314/.436 slash line with 18 homers, 50 RBI, 53 runs scored and eight stolen bases across 129 contests this season.