Contreras is adamant about not taking a roster spot if he is unable to compete at an acceptable standard. The scuffling Red Sox desperately need their starting first baseman to rapidly recover, because their lineup is stagnating at the end of the regular season.

The Cubs asked Major League Baseball for an additional roster spot ahead of their series against the Boston Red Sox, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. MLB denied the request, leaving Chicago to deal with a crowded schedule using the roster it already has.