Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs - News - September 14, 2025 | FOX Sports

Richie Palacios - Excluded from starting nine Palacios is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Impact The left-handed-hitting Palacios will take a seat for the second day in a row, this time against a right-handed starter (Trey Yesavage) after he was withheld from the starting nine Sunday against lefty Shota Imanaga. Since returning from the 60-day injured list Sept. 1, Palacios has gone 4-for-21 with three walks. That modest level of production may prompt the Rays to view Palacios as more of a part-time option rather than a locked-in strong-side platoon player.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hunter Feduccia - Sitting against right-hander Feduccia is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Impact After taking a seat against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga in Sunday's 4-3 loss, the left-handed-hitting Feduccia will now give way to Nick Fortes behind the plate while the Rays face off against a right-hander (Trey Yesavage) in the series opener. Feduccia is batting just .156 since being acquired from the Dodgers at the trade deadline and could be at risk of losing out on his strong-side platoon role at catcher.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Moisés Ballesteros - Drawing fourth straight start Ballesteros will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter and cleanup batter in Monday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Ballesteros will be awarded his fourth straight start after he went 5-for-10 with one home run, one triple, two walks, two RBI and three runs during the Cubs' series versus the Rays over the weekend. Though he's made the most of his opportunities since being called up from Triple-A Iowa last Tuesday, Ballesteros' playing time could be squeezed once Seiya Suzuki (illness) makes his return to the lineup.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Seiya Suzuki - Sitting again due to illness Suzuki (illness) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Out of the lineup for the fourth consecutive game, Suzuki is apparently dealing with something more than a mild illness, but the Cubs haven't shed light on the nature of his ailment. Manager Craig Counsell revealed Sunday that Suzuki traveled with the team to Pittsburgh, so the expectation remains that the 31-year-old will avoid a stint on the injured list and return to the lineup at some point later in the series. Moises Ballesteros will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter once again Monday while Suzuki sits.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ben Brown - Optioned to Iowa The Cubs optioned Brown to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact He's being sent down to make room on the active roster for the return of Michael Soroka (shoulder). Brown has made 15 starts and 10 relief appearances for the Cubs this season, posting a 5.92 ERA and 121:32 K:BB over 106.1 frames.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Soroka - Returns from 15-day IL The Cubs activated Soroka (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Soroka has been sidelined since early August with a right shoulder strain but has been cleared to return after making one 2.1-inning rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa. All 17 of Soroka's appearances this season have come as a starter, but he appears slated for a relief role with the Cubs in the final two weeks. Soroka excelled in a bullpen role last season with the White Sox, posting a 2.75 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 36 frames.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners Are So Hot Right Now. But the Mets? Our MLB Contender Rankings!

Two weeks away from playoff baseball. How are the contenders stacking up?

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Mariners Are So Hot Right Now. But the Mets? Our MLB Contender Rankings!