CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

Nick Madrigal - Live BP session on tap Madrigal (groin) is scheduled to take part in live batting practice Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact The live batting practice session could mark the final hurdle that Madrigal needs to clear in his recovery from a left groin strain before he heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment. David Bote (shoulder) and Christopher Morel have been picking up most of the work at second base of late for the big club, but Madrigal should reclaim a near-everyday role in the middle infield once he's activated from the 10-day injured list.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Frank Schwindel - Ready for batting practice Schwindel (back) is scheduled to take live batting practice Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact According to Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network, Schwindel performed all baseball activities Sunday, and if his tight back responds well to Tuesday's workout, his next step could be heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 30-year-old may not make it back from the 10-day injured list next week, but he looks on track to be activated before the All-Star break.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox SS Bogaerts' left thigh cut when stopping a steal

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts left Sunday’s game against the Cubs with a left thigh laceration

JULY 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yan Gomes - Sitting Sunday Gomes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Impact Gomes will retreat to the bench for the series finale after he started in each of Chicago's last three games at catcher or designated hitter while going 1-for-9 with a double, an RBI and a run. P.J. Higgins will check in for Gomes behind the dish while Willson Contreras serves as the Cubs' DH.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

David Bote - Remains out Sunday Bote (shoulder) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Impact He'll sit for the third straight game while he continues to tend to a left shoulder injury. Christopher Morel will once again fill in for Bote at second base.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Rucker - Returns to big leagues The Cubs recalled Rucker from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact He'll be joining the big club as a replacement for Alec Mills (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured list just seven pitches into his start in Saturday's win over the Red Sox. Since Mark Leiter came on in long relief and covered 5.1 innings out of the bullpen, he likely won't be available for at least a few days, so Rucker should provide a fresh arm in the interim. Over his previous 12 outings this season with the Cubs spanning 19.2 innings, Rucker posted a 5.49 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alec Mills - Back issue forces trip to IL The Cubs placed Mills on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a lower-back strain, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Mills picked up the injury just seven pitches into his start in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Red Sox. Mark Leiter stepped up in long relief and struck out five over 5.1 innings en route to capturing the win, so he could be the most logical candidate to enter the rotation as a replacement for Mills. The Cubs will likely hold Mills out through the All-Star break with the back injury, and he's not expected to return to the rotation once activated. Chicago should get at least one of its other injured starters (Marcus Stroman, Wade Miley and Drew Smyly) back before Mills is ready to go.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reginald Preciado - Dealing with knee injury Preciado was placed on the injured list with a knee injury, Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation reports.

Impact Single-A Myrtle Beach added Preciado to the IL on June 15. The nature of the injury is not known, but North Side Bound posted a photograph of the infielder with a brace on his left leg.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Hoerner has become an everyday player, but is he the Cubs' future shortstop? This upcoming free-agent class could boast such top-tier shortstops as Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson.

JULY 3, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Cubs try to keep home win streak going, host the Red Sox

The Chicago Cubs, on a four-game home winning streak, host the Boston Red Sox

JULY 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nelson Velazquez - Steals base as pinch runner Velazquez posted a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Velazquez pinch ran for Willson Contreras in the eighth inning, and he went on to steal second base and score on a Patrick Wisdom single. In his last 10 games, Velazquez has gone 6-for-20 (.300) with a triple, two doubles, a steal, three RBI and five runs scored. The 23-year-old is still likely only to see part-time duties as a reserve outfielder. The impending return of Seiya Suzuki (finger) Monday will likely limit Velazquez's opportunities further, if he remains on the big-league roster at all.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Wisdom - Records steal in win Wisdom went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Wisdom has four steals this season, and half of them have come in the last three games. He scored the opening run in the second inning Saturday and knocked in the Cubs' third and final run in the eighth for an all-around productive showing. The 30-year-old is up to a .233/.319/.470 slash line with 16 home runs, 44 RBI and 42 runs scored through 301 plate appearances. Wisdom has a 34.6 percent strikeout rate this year, though he's partially offset it with a 10.0 percent walk rate that's allowed him to get on base steadily.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leiter lifts Cubs as rotation takes another hit CHICAGO -- As Cubs pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. walked off the mound on Saturday night, the Wrigley Field faithful rose to their feet and voiced...

JULY 3, 2022 • MLB.COM

David Robertson - Secures 11th save Robertson allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Robertson had to navigate baserunners for the first time in three appearances. Jarren Duran hit a double and stole third in the ninth inning and Xander Bogaerts drew a walk, but Robertson finished the save by getting Alex Verdugo to line out. In his last seven outings, Robertson has converted four of five save chances and picked up a win while allowing just one run. He's posted a 1.72 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB with 11 saves in 14 chances across 31.1 innings this year.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Leiter Jr. - Earns win in impromptu outing Leiter (2-2) earned the win in Saturday's victory over the Red Sox. He allowed a run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Impact Starter Alec Mills (back) exited the contest after just seven pitches and one out, with Leiter stepping in for his longest appearance of the year. The right-hander has started three of his 11 outings in the majors this year, and he'd be a candidate to join the rotation if Mills can't make his next scheduled start, though Marcus Stroman (shoulder) could be good to go by next weekend if he only needs one rehab start. Leiter has pitched to mixed results with a 4.85 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB through 29.2 innings overall.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leiter works 5 1/3 in emergency relief, Cubs top Boston 3-1

Mark Leiter Jr. threw 5 1/3 solid innings of emergency relief, Nico Hoerner and Patrick Wisdom each had two hits and the Chicago Cubs capitalized on a pair of Boston errors and bea...

JULY 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alec Mills - Leaves with back pain Mills left Saturday's game against the Red Sox with lower-back pain, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Impact Just seven pitches into his start Saturday, Mills hunched over in pain and ultimately left the field. The Cubs later provided specifics, although it's uncertain whether Mills is in danger of missing additional time. Mark Leiter entered Saturday's game in relief and could step in for a spot start next week if MIlls is unable to go.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs pitcher Alec Mills exits with back injury vs. Red Sox

Chicago Cubs pitcher Alec Mills left Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox due to lower back pain after throwing just seven pitches

JULY 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Red Sox place Rich Hill on injured list

The Boston Red Sox placed pitcher Rich Hill on the 15-day injured list because of a sprained left knee and recalled reliever Phillips Valdéz from Triple-A Worcester before their ga...

JULY 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs' first base coach Mike Napoli remembers 2013 Red Sox as 'a lot of crazy dudes who loved the game' - The Boston Globe The spirit of that team lives on with the Cubs, who are managed by David Ross and have Napoli as their first base coach.

JULY 2, 2022 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Nick Madrigal - Runs bases Saturday Madrigal (groin) participated in baserunning drills Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Madrigal hit in live batting practice Tuesday and took another step in his recovery by running the bases ahead of Saturday's game against the Red Sox. Although he's made good progress this week, it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to game action.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Smyly - Rehab assignment on tap Smyly (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at High-A South Bend or Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Smyly progressed to facing live hitters Tuesday, and he threw a successful bullpen session Friday. The southpaw will may require multiple appearances in the minors prior to rejoining the Cubs, but his rehab assignment should be the final step in his recovery process.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs: How to watch MLB online for free The Boston Red Sox will face the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, July 1 at 7:15 ET for their second matchup of a three-game series.

JULY 2, 2022 • MASSLIVE.COM

Seiya Suzuki - Targeting Monday return Suzuki (finger) hopes to return from the 10-day injured list Monday against the Brewers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Suzuki began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Thursday and has gone 3-for-6 with a homer, a double, two runs and two RBI in the minors. He'll reclaim his spot as the primary right fielder once he's ultimately activated. Prior to his absence, the 27-year-old slashed .245/.344/.432 with four homers, 21 RBI, 20 runs and three stolen bases.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sahadev Sharma: Seiya Suzuki, who is playing right field... - The Athletic Seiya Suzuki, who is playing right field tonight for Iowa, could be back with the big league team as early as Monday according to David Ross...

JULY 2, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM