CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

Nico Hoerner - Steals 20th base, scores three runs Hoerner went 1-for-2 with two walks and three runs scored in Wednesday's 15-2 win over the Reds. He also stole a base.

Impact Hoerner was busy in the season finale despite recording just one hit. The stolen base was his 20th of the year to go along with 10 home runs, as the young shortstop started to flash a nice mix of speed and power in his fourth season in the majors. Hoerner may be overshadowed by a handful of other middle infielders heading into 2023, though he looks primed to continue his development and remain a strong fantasy asset.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

David Bote - Tallies five RBI in finale Bote went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and five RBI in Wednesday's 15-2 win over the Reds.

Impact Bote hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning as part of a Chicago romp in the season finale. The veteran finished the year with four long balls and a .746 OPS across 41 games. Bote didn't debut until late June due to offseason shoulder surgery, then missed additional time with shoulder soreness and also spent about a month at Triple-A Iowa. He still has some real-life value due to his defensive versatility, though the 29-year-old isn't really on the fantasy map heading into 2023.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Franmil Reyes - Finishes with a bang Reyes went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run, two runs scored and three total RBI in Wednesday's 15-2 win over the Reds.

Impact Reyes led the way in Chicago's blowout win, hitting his 14th and final home run of the season as part of the romp. He hit five of those long balls in 48 games with the Cubs and batted .234 with his new club. Reyes cooled off some after a strong start in Chicago, but his power potential could earn him another look with the Cubs as they head into 2023. He has some fantasy appeal when he's hot, though he's pretty much limited to a DH role at this point, which caps his value.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Photos: Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds, 10/5 Photos of the MLB game between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds on October 5, 2022.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • CINCINNATI.COM

Reds lose 100 for 1st time since '82, Bote 5 RBIs lead Cubs

The Cincinnati Reds lost 100 games for the first time in four decades, falling to the Cubs 15-2 in their season finale as David Bote drove in a season-high five runs

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Castiglione, Cohen, Campbell among Frick Award finalists

Boston’s Joe Castiglione, the Mets’ Gary Cohen and former major leaguers Dave Campbell, Steve Stone, Duane Kuiper and Ernie Johnson Sr. are among the 10 finalists for Hall of Fame’...

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Adrian Sampson - Diagnosed with right groin issue Sampson was removed from Wednesday's start against the Reds as a precautionary measure due to right groin tightness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Sampson exited with a trainer after just 2.2 innings Wednesday, but it's somewhat encouraging that his departure was labeled as precautionary. It's not yet clear whether the issue will impact his offseason program at all, but he'll likely be available for the start of spring training in 2023.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Adrian Sampson - Exits with apparent injury Sampson exited Wednesday's start against the Reds in the bottom of the third inning due to an apparent injury, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Sampson allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out three in 2.2 innings to begin Wednesday's season finale, but he left with a trainer with two outs in the bottom of the third inning. The exact nature of his injury isn't yet clear, but he appeared to be pointing at the inside of his upper leg while talking with a trainer. Over 21 appearances (19 starts) in the majors this year, the right-hander posted a 3.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 104.1 innings.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Who will play center field for the Chicago Cubs in 2023? An internal option such as Christopher Morel could be the path they take. CINCINNATI — Of all the possible routes the Chicago Cubs could take in the offseason to upgrade the roster, the outfield features some of th...

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Alfonso Rivas - Sitting Wednesday Rivas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

Impact After going 0-for-5 with two walks while starting the past two games, Rivas will take a seat in the season finale. David Bote will spell Rivas at first base.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Esteban Quiroz - Not starting Wednesday Quiroz isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Cincinnati.

Impact Quiroz started the last two games and went 0-for-6 with a stolen base, a walk and three strikeouts. Zach McKinstry will shift to the keystone while Patrick Wisdom starts at third base Wednesday.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Willson Contreras - On bench for season finale Contreras isn't starting Wednesday against the Reds.

Impact Contreras went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and a strikeout Tuesday against Cincinnati, and he'll retreat to the bench for Wednesday's season finale. P.J. Higgins is starting behind the plate and batting seventh.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Evaluating Seiya Suzuki's first season with the Cubs Seiya Suzuki had his ups and downs in the 2022 season, which was expected in his first season in the United States.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Reds host the Cubs, look to continue home win streak

The Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago Cubs trying to continue a three-game home winning streak

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

These prospects could break into the '23 rotation CINCINNATI -- When Javier Assad made his big league debut for the Cubs in August, his former Double-A Tennessee teammates were monitoring hi...

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • MLB.COM

Nico Hoerner - Hits 10th home run Hoerner went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Reds.

Impact Hoerner came into 2022 with just three career MLB home runs, but he now has 10 this season. He's paired those long balls with 19 stolen bases in 21 attempts, along with a strong .280 batting average. Hoerner has also played in a career-high 134 games. If he can remain healthy in 2023 and continue to develop a bit more power, his fantasy outlook should trend upward.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Keegan Thompson - Suffers blown save Tuesday Thompson suffered a blown save after he pitched 2.2 innings, giving up two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out five in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Reds.

Impact Thompson entered the game with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, tasked with protecting a 1-0 lead. After the Cubs scored a run in the following half-inning, the right-hander surrendered a two-run homer to Chuckie Robinson in the seventh frame, which tied the game at 2-2. The blown save was his first of the season and the runs allowed were his first given up since returning from the 15-day injured list Sept. 21. Thompson now owns a 3.76 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 108 strikeouts over 115 innings in 29 appearances including 17 starts this year.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Willson Contreras - Hits 22nd home run Contreras went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Reds.

Impact Contreras is now up to 22 home runs with one more game on the schedule Wednesday. If the catcher plays in the afternoon contest, he'll need two long balls to tie his career high of 24, set back in 2019. Either way, it's been a solid season for Contreras, as the veteran has an .815 OPS across 113 games. It'll be his first OPS above .800 since that 2019 campaign, when he finished with a career-best .888 mark.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reds avoid 100th loss with 3-2 walk-off win over Cubs

Spencer Steer doubled off Brandon Hughes in the ninth inning to score Stuart Fairchild and the Cincinnati Reds avoided their 100th loss, beating the Chicago Cubs 3-2 on Tuesday nig...

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Javier Assad - Finishes 2022 strong Assad tossed 5.1 scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's loss to the Reds. He allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out four.

Impact Assad left with the Cubs up 1-0, but Chicago's bullpen allowed three runs in the 3-2 loss. Despite not getting the win, Assad looked sharp in his 2022 finale. The rookie ended his campaign with 10.1 scoreless innings over his last two starts, which brought his ERA down to a strong 3.11 across 37.2 total innings. Assad should factor into the team's rotation mix to begin 2023, and he'll be a fantasy factor if he keeps pitching like this.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Zach McKinstry - On bench Tuesday McKinstry will sit Tuesday against the Reds.

Impact McKinstry hasn't done much since coming to the Cubs at the deadline, hitting .201/.270/.342 in 45 games. There should be playing time available at Wrigley Field next season, but he's done very little to claim a meaningful portion. Patrick Wisdom starts at third base Tuesday.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

What Hayden Wesneski's debut season means for the Cubs in 2023 Wesneski began the season in the Yankees’ farm system and ended it in the Cubs’ big-league rotation.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

How Chicago Cubs prospect Jordan Wicks — armed with new pitch — is setting himself up a big 2023 season Chicago Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks was among 14 prospects to attend a multi-day development camp at Wrigley Field as the organization pre...

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Cubs' pitching prospect depth allows them to be patient, overcome failures Javier Assad is just one of the promising pitchers who give the Cubs options when needed.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago Cubs Tuesday

The Cincinnati Reds face the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS