MLB Player News

The Cubs placed Thornton on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left ankle soreness, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Thornton has been one of the more reliable members of a shaky Cubs bullpen this season, but his move to the IL will prevent him from pitching in a game until the final day of the regular season. Edward Cabrera (finger) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move and will join Chicago's bullpen to fill the void left by Thornton.

The Cubs reinstated Cabrera (finger) from the injured list Saturday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Cabrera has made just one appearance in the majors since the All-Star break due to issues with his left hamstring and, more recently, a blister on his right middle finger. Now fully healthy, the 28-year-old will return to the active roster but move into the bullpen after posting a 5.68 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 76 innings as a starter. His struggles continued into his rehab assignment (six earned runs allowed in 3.2 innings), so he will likely be limited to low-leverage work to begin with. Trent Thornton (ankle) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Rays selected Hopkins' contract from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hopkins spent most of the season working in the rotation at Durham, but after struggling as a starter, the team moved him to the bullpen in August. Now that he's pitched six consecutive shutout innings at Triple-A as a reliever, the 24-year-old righty will join the big club to help bolster the Rays' bullpen. He'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

Basallo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Basallo will retreat to the dugout Saturday after going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during Friday's series opener. Carlos Narvaez will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Gonzales isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Gonzales will get a break Saturday after going 9-for-33 (.273) with two RBI and a run scored through his first nine games of September. Jacob Gonzalez will start at the hot corner and bat eighth.

Flores isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Flores has recorded a base hit in each of his last six games, but the Pirates will keep him on the bench to begin Saturday's affair. Henry Davis will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Valdez (hamstring) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

The Pirates have yet to provide an update on Valdez's status after he exited Friday's game with a left hamstring injury, though he will need at least one day off to recover. Jake Mangum will start in right field Saturday and could continue to do so if Valdez needs to spend time on the IL.

Wilkinson improved to 1-3 on the season after striking out two batters and allowing one hit over two scoreless frames of relief Wednesday in the Giants' 7-6 win over the Cardinals.

The back end of the San Francisco rotation looks fluid at the moment, but Wilkinson appears set to work in relief for the time being after posting a 6.14 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB In 14.2 innings while starting in each of his first four big-league appearances. He retired six of the seven batters he faced during his first relief outing, picking up the win after the Giants clawed back from a five-run deficit with a six-run bottom of the eighth.

The Nationals reinstated Lovelady (triceps) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

A triceps strain has kept Lovelady out since late June, but he began a rehab assignment Sept. 1 and has since allowed three earned runs while striking out four batters and walking one across 5.1 innings. Now fully healthy, he could enter the mix for high-leverage work with team saves leader Clayton Beeter heading back to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Tolman gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Friday, recording his second save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Angels. He didn't strike out a batter.

The rookie southpaw wasn't sharp, tossing 15 of 25 pitches for strikes, but Tolman was able to escape with the save. He's been scored upon in three straight appearances but also has the Nationals' only two saves over the last month, and with Clayton Beeter jettisoned to Triple-A, Tolman is nominally the top option for the team in the bullpen. Expect Washington manager Blake Butera to continue auditioning new potential high-leverage options over the final weeks with his focus firmly on 2027.