JUNE 25, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM
CHICAGO CUBS 83-79 · 3RD IN NL CENTRAL
83-79 · 3RD IN NL CENTRAL
How Ian Happ has helped 'stabilize' Cubs amid roller-coaster year Entering the Cubs’ game Friday against the Cardinals, Happ ranked No. 3 among National League outfielders in wins above replacement, accordi...
Jonathan Villar - Designated for assignment Villar was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact The 31-year-old was originally in the lineup for Friday's matchup with the Cardinals, but the Cubs instead opted to remove him from the 40-man roster and reinstate David Bote (shoulder/head) from the 60-day injured list. Villar joined Chicago on a one-year, $6 million deal in March but struggled to a .222/.271/.327 slash line with two home runs, 15 RBI and six stolen bases in 46 games.
JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
David Bote - Reinstated from 60-day IL Bote (shoulder/head) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact Bote missed the start of the year since he underwent offseason shoulder surgery, and he hit a snag in his rehab process earlier in June when he experienced bouts of dizziness. However, he appeared in 18 games during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa, and he slashed .284/.351/.403 with a triple, six doubles, 12 RBI, seven runs and three stolen bases. He should have a chance to carve out playing time in the infield after Jonathan Villar was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday.
JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Patrick Mooney: The Cubs DFA'd Jonathan Villar and activated... - The Athletic The Cubs DFA’d Jonathan Villar and activated David Bote.
JUNE 24, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Rafael Ortega - Gets breather Friday Ortega isn't starting Friday against the Cardinals.
Impact Although right-hander Andre Pallante is starting for the Cardinals on Friday, Ortega will be held out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. Willson Contreras is serving as the designated hitter while Yan Gomes starts at catcher.
JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Cardinals host the Cubs to open 3-game series
The St. Louis Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs to start a three-game seriesJUNE 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Alfonso Rivas - Swipes bag, knocks in two Rivas knocked a two-run single and stole a base in his lone plate appearance against the Pirates on Thursday.
Impact Rivas didn't start the contest, but he was called upon to pinch hit in the eighth inning. The 25-year-old came through with a clutch single that plated two runs and gave Chicago a short-lived lead. Since being recalled from the minors June 18, Rivas has gone 7-for-18 (.389) with a home run, seven RBI and five runs in six games.
JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Schwarber, Realmuto go deep vs Musgrove in Phils' 6-2 win
Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run homer and JJUNE 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Justin Steele - Allows six runs in no-decision Steele allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits across 5.2 innings and did not factor into the decision in Thursday's loss to the Pirates. He didn't walk anyone and struck out...
Impact Steele was impressive missing bats, but a solo home run by Bryan Reynolds and a two-run shot by Ke'Bryan Hayes spoiled the lefty's outing. He's had some ups and downs this year, and he's now sitting with a 4.59 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 61 strikeouts across 64.2 innings. Steele will look for better results in his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Reds.
JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
David Robertson - Blows save Thursday Robertson allowed one run on one hit across an inning of work to blow the save in Thursday's extra-inning loss to the Pirates.
Impact With the Cubs up 7-6 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, Robertson got the call from the bullpen, but he promptly allowed a game-tying home run to Michael Chavis to start the frame. It was the third blown save of the season for the veteran in 11 opportunities. Despite those hiccups, Robertson has been solid with a 2.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 36 strikeouts across 26.2 innings.
JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Nico Hoerner - Tallies three hits Thursday Hoerner went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's extra-inning loss to the Pirates.
Impact Hoerner's counting stats don't jump off the page, with just three home runs and 20 RBI this season, though he does consistently rack up hits. The 25-year-old is now batting .280 this year, which comes on the heels of batting .302 in 44 games with the Cubs in 2021. Hoerner has established himself as the team's top shortstop, and he has some fantasy value despite being limited in terms of power production.
JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Katie Woo: Cardinals probables vs. CHC this weekend:'... - The Athletic Cardinals probables vs. CHC this weekend:’ Friday - RHP Andre Pallante Saturday - RHP Miles Mikolas Sunday - RHP Jack Flaherty
JUNE 23, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Chavis stars with bat, defense, Pirates edge Cubs in 10
Michael Chavis hit a tying home run in the eighth before pulling off a defensive gem and delivering a game-ending single in the 10th, sending the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Chicag...JUNE 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hoosiers in the MLB: Schwarber Belts 19th Home Run, Cubs' Effross Dealing Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies and Scott Effross of the Chicago Cubs are the two former Indiana Hoosiers in the MLB right now,...
JUNE 23, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Michael Hermosillo - Advances to live BP Hermosillo (quadriceps) is scheduled to take live batting practice Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact Hermosillo has recently been able to take part in running, throwing and hitting drills without experiencing any setbacks, and he'll hit another meaningful benchmark in his recovery from the left quad strain by facing live pitching. The 27-year-old is without a clear timeline to return from the 10-day injured list, and because he won't be in line for an everyday role once activated, the Cubs could take their time with Hermosillo and send him out on an extended rehab assignment once he's deemed ready for game action.
JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Seiya Suzuki - Hitting again Suzuki (finger) has resumed hitting in the batting cage since reporting to the Cubs' spring training complex in Arizona for his rehab program, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times r...
Impact Suzuki is expected to gradually build up his hitting progression in Arizona, with the rookie ultimately needing to face live pitching in batting practice or simulated games before he's cleared for game action. The Cubs haven't indicated whether Suzuki will require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list, where he's resided since May 30.
JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
How to watch Cubs vs. Cardinals FREE on Apple TV+ Friday night’s game between the Cubs and Cardinals -- the longtime Midwest rivals -- will air exclusively on Apple TV+. It will not be avail...
JUNE 23, 2022 • MLB.COM
Cubs vs. Pirates prediction, betting odds for MLB on Thursday The Pittsburgh Pirates lock horns with the Chicago Cubs in MLB on Thursday. This preview includes our best bet of the game.
JUNE 23, 2022 • PENNLIVE.COM
Adrian Sampson - Recalled Thursday Sampson was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact Sampson struck out five in 4.2 scoreless innings against Atlanta on Sunday but was sent down by the Cubs a day later. However, the right-hander will rejoin the major-league bullpen after Daniel Norris (finger) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Sampson should be available to serve as a long reliever out of the Cubs' bullpen if needed.
JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Daniel Norris - Out with finger injury The Cubs placed Norris on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left index finger strain, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact Right-hander Adrian Sampson was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to replace Norris on the 26-man active roster and serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen. Norris likely came away with the injury at some point during his appearance in Wednesday's 14-5 win over the Pirates, when he served up four runs -- all unearned -- on one hit and one walk over an inning of relief.
JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rafael Ortega - Takes seat versus lefty Ortega is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.
Impact The lefty-hitting Ortega will head to the bench with a southpaw (Jose Quintana) on the mound for Pittsburgh in the series finale. Ortega, who went 3-for-5 with a double, a walk, two runs and two RBI in Wednesday's 14-5 win, should continue to hold down a semi-regular role in the lineup against right-handed pitching until Seiya Suzuki (finger) is ready to return from the injured list.
JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Alfonso Rivas - Idle against lefty Rivas is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.
Impact With a lefty (Jose Quintana) on the mound for Pittsburgh as the two teams close out their series with a day game after a night game, the lefty-hitting Rivas will give way to P.J. Higgins at first base. Following Frank Schwindel's (back) recent placement on the 10-day injured list, Rivas should have a temporary hold on the primary job at first base. Rivas likely solidified his spot atop the temporary depth chart by going 2-for-4 with a grand slam and an additional run and RBI in Wednesday's 14-5 win.
JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jason Heyward - Takes seat Thursday Heyward is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Pirates.
Impact Heyward will take a seat after he started seven straight games, going 4-for-23 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in those contests. Nelson Velazquez will replace him in right field and bat eighth Thursday.
JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ethan Roberts - Requires Tommy John surgery Roberts (shoulder) will require season-ending Tommy John surgery after sustaining a right elbow injury during his rehab appearance Sunday at Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the...
Impact Roberts had been on the injured list since the beginning of May due to right shoulder inflammation, but he finally appeared to have put the injury behind him when the Cubs cleared him to go on the rehab assignment last weekend. Ultimately, Roberts faced only one hitter at Iowa before succumbing to a more serious injury that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the 2022 season and most, if not all, of the 2023 campaign. The Cubs haven't yet scheduled Roberts' surgery, but he'll presumably go under the knife within the next week or two.
JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Drew Smyly - Another side session coming Smyly (oblique) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact It's the second side session of the week for Smyly, whose strained right oblique apparently responded well to Tuesday's throwing workout. If all goes well Friday, Smyly could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice early next week.
JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
