CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

Manuel Rodríguez - Shifts rehab to Triple-A Rodriguez (elbow) gave up an earned run on two hits while striking out two in an inning of relief Wednesday in his rehab appearance for Triple-A Iowa.

Impact Rodriguez has been sidelined nearly all season with a right elbow strain, which he developed in mid-April during his second appearance of the 2022 campaign with Iowa. In a procedural move, the Cubs called Rodriguez up June 1 and placed him on the 60-day injured list the same day, so he'll need to be added back to the 40-man roster once his 30-day rehab window ends. Rodriguez started the rehab assignment Aug. 9 and made two appearances in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League before he was transferred to Iowa, so he could remain on the IL until the second week of September.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

P.J. Higgins - Provides jolt Wednesday Higgins went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Nationals.

Impact Higgins gave the Cubs an unexpected boost from the No. 9 spot in the order, going deep in the fifth inning with a runner on to put Chicago up 2-1. The 29-year-old has actually been swinging the bat pretty well this season, as he now has six home runs and an .884 OPS across 43 games. He could earn himself a little more playing time down the stretch, potentially at first base because Willson Contreras and Yan Gomes are ahead of him at catcher.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Smyly - Allows two runs Wednesday Smyly allowed two runs on four hits across 5.1 innings and did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Nationals. He had no walks and struck out four.

Impact Smyly pitched well, though he needed 100 pitches to retire 16 batters, so got the hook after allowing a one-out double in the sixth inning. The lefty has now allowed two runs or fewer in his last three outings, which has helped him lower his ERA to a solid 3.67. Smyly isn't the most exciting fantasy option and doesn't always go deep into games, but he's been useful lately. He's scheduled to start again as part of a doubleheader Tuesday against the Cardinals.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rowan Wick - Earns save Wednesday Wick pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Nationals.

Impact Wick didn't have any strikeouts for the second straight outing, but he didn't allow any runs or blow a save like he did Tuesday. The righty now has three saves in four chances since Chicago traded David Robertson at the deadline earlier this month. That's boosted Wick's fantasy stock a great deal, and he'll likely remain the closer the rest of the season, though the 49-67 Cubs might not offer a ton of opportunities.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reginald Preciado - Rehabbing in Arizona Preciado (knee) has gone 4-for-20 with three walks and nine strikeouts in six games since beginning a rehab assignment Aug. 8 in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Impact Assuming he hasn't experienced any setbacks with his left knee since starting up his rehab assignment, Preciado should soon be ready to return from Single-A Myrtle Beach's 7-day injured list. Prior to being shut down in mid-June with the injury, the 19-year-old infielder was hitting .216/.282/.313 in 36 games at Myrtle Beach.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Assistant GM Craig Breslow on developing Chicago Cubs pitchers, including a new approach for Caleb Kilian Starting pitching depth is becoming a strength within the Chicago Cubs system, bolstered by prospects acquired in trade-deadline moves.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Abbott shows Cubs what they're missing WASHINGTON -- Facing the team that drafted him for the first time since he was traded to the Giants in late April, Cory Abbott would have...

AUGUST 17, 2022 • MLB.COM

P.J. Higgins lifts Cubs vs. Nationals, keeps doing 'something special' with limited at-bats Cubs first baseman P.J. Higgins provided the bulk of the Cubs’ scoring Wednesday with a two-run home run.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

'They let me be me': Reyes cashing in on Cubs' trust WASHINGTON -- Franmil Reyes clapped his hands hard, pointed to the heavens as he stood atop second base and then reached back to tug on th...

AUGUST 17, 2022 • MLB.COM

Former Phillies manager Joe Girardi to join Cubs TV announcing team Marquee Sports Network says Girardi will join Jon Sciambi and former big league pitcher Jim Deshaies in the booth as an analyst for this wee...

AUGUST 17, 2022 • PENNLIVE.COM

Verbal exchange with Cubs catcher Willson Contreras gets 2 fans banned from Nationals Park for 5 years WASHINGTON — Two fans are banned from Nationals Park for five years after a heated exchange with Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

Gomes' RBI single in 7th lifts Cubs over Nationals 3-2 Yan Gomes hit a tie-breaking single in the seventh inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 to win the three-game serie...

AUGUST 17, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Gomes' RBI single in 7th lifts Cubs over Nationals 3-2

Yan Gomes hit a tie-breaking single in the seventh inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 to win the three-game series

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Phillies manager Joe Girardi has a new job. Find out what it is Former Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi has joined Marquee Sports Network as game analyst for the Chicago Cubs, one of his former t...

AUGUST 17, 2022 • MCALL.COM

Wednesday's MLB: Former Phillies manager Joe Girardi to join Cubs TV booth Marquee Sports Network said Joe Girardi will Jon Sciambi and Jim Deshaies in the booth for this weekend's series against Milwaukee.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • DETROITNEWS.COM

Former Phillies manager Joe Girardi to join Cubs TV booth

Former Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi has joined Marquee Sports Network as an game analyst for the Chicago Cubs, one of his former teams

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anderson Espinoza - Optioned to Triple-A Espinoza was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Espinoza was called up by the Cubs in early August and posted a 6.35 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 5.2 innings over three relief appearances during his time with the major-league club. However, he'll head back to the minors after Steven Brault (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Steven Brault - Activated Wednesday Brault (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Brault spent just over two weeks on the COVID-19 IL and struck out two in 2.1 innings over two recent rehab appearances at Triple-A Iowa. He should serve as a middle reliever now that he's back in action.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Madrigal - Sitting Wednesday Madrigal isn't starting Wednesday against Washington.

Impact Madrigal is resting during Wednesday's series finale after he went 1-for-9 with a double, a run and a strikeout over the last two games. Zach McKinstry will shift to the keystone while P.J. Higgins enters the lineup at first base.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Christopher Morel - Riding pine Wednesday Morel isn't starting Wednesday against the Nationals.

Impact Morel started the last three games but went just 1-for-9 with a solo homer, a walk and six strikeouts. Rafael Ortega is starting in center field and batting sixth.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Willson Contreras - Not starting Wednesday Contreras isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Impact Contreras went 0-for-9 with a run, an RBI and four strikeouts over the last two games and will take a seat for Wednesday's series finale in Washington. Yan Gomes is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Mooney: Joe Girardi, the former Cubs catcher and... - The Athletic Joe Girardi, the former Cubs catcher and ex-Phillies/Yankees/Marlins manager, will join the Marquee Sports Network broadcast booth for two u...

AUGUST 17, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

What is Ian Happ's future with the Cubs after he wasn't traded at the deadline? With the Cubs playing for more than wins and losses, another strong finish could again reshape the perception of Ian Happ.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Box Score - August 17, 2022 - The Athletic Get real-time MLB coverage and scores as the Chicago Cubs take on the Washington Nationals at 5:05pm UTC on August 17, 2022. The Athletic brings you the latest stats, scores, and a...

AUGUST 17, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Nationals and Cubs meet to decide series winner

The Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs meet on Wednesday with the winner claiming the three-game series

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS