JUNE 2, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
CHICAGO CUBS 83-79 · 3RD IN NL CENTRAL
83-79 · 3RD IN NL CENTRAL
The Cubs gave Brandon Hughes two options: pitch, or get released Originally recruited to Michigan State as a two-way player before hitting exclusively, Brandon Hughes is back on the mound for the Cubs.
Jason Heyward - Scores twice in return Heyward (illness) went 1-for-4 with two runs scored in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Brewers.
Impact Heyward was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list before the game after missing more than two weeks of action. The veteran outfielder played in right Wednesday with Seiya Suzuki (finger) currently on the mend. When Suzuki returns, Heyward will likely shift back to center, where he'll contend with Rafael Ortega and rookie Christopher Morel for playing time. Even if Heyward continues to see regular playing time, his .549 OPS doesn't offer much hope for offensive production the rest of the way.
JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Michael Rucker - Strikes out side Wednesday Rucker (toe) worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless inning of relief with three strikeouts in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Brewers.
Impact Rucker, who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list before the game, worked the seventh inning behind starter Kyle Hendricks and Daniel Norris. He struck out the leadoff man before allowing a one-out double, but he avoided any trouble with two more strikeouts. Rucker has been quietly solid for the Cubs this year with a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 16 innings. The righty was able to miss plenty of bats in 2021 as well, with 30 strikeouts over 28.1 innings, but he struggled overall with a 6.99 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. With a 3.45 FIP so far this season, Rucker's improved production seems sustainable, especially if he keeps missing bats.
JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Mark Leiter Jr. - Earns first win of season Leiter (1-1) pitched a scoreless 10th inning in relief and earned the win Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out one.
Impact With the Cubs having already used five pitchers through nine innings, Leiter got the 10th, which meant a runner starting on second base. He started the frame with a strikeout, but then a wild pitch advanced the runner to third with one out. Leiter got out of the pickle with a fielder's choice groundout to second baseman Nick Madrigal, who nailed the runner at the plate. The righty then got Tyrone Taylor to fly out to end the inning, and he earned his first win of 2022 when the Cubs scored in the bottom of the inning for the 4-3 victory. Leiter still doesn't have a ton of fantasy value at this point with a low-leverage role and a 6.08 ERA on the year.
JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Christopher Morel - Drives home winning run Morel went 0-for-3 with a walk, a run, an RBI and a stolen base in a 4-3 win against Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Impact Morel led off the Cubs' half of the first inning with a walk, then took part in a double steal and came around to score on an errant throw. He made his presence felt again in the 10th frame, lofting a sacrifice fly to plate the winning run. Morel's 11-game hitting streak came to an end in the victory, but he showed that he can make an impact regardless. He's been particularly valuable on the basepaths of late, stealing five bases across his past seven games.
JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Willson Contreras - Swipes bag in win Contreras went 2-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a stolen base in Monday's 4-3 victory against the Brewers.
Impact Contreras helped the Cubs get off to a strong start in the contest, knocking a single in the first inning and succeeding on a double steal with Christopher Morel. The backstop moved to third on an error and came around to score on a double play. Contreras later knocked in a run in the fifth inning with a single to right field. This was his third straight two-hit performance and his seventh consecutive contest with at least one base knock. Over that stretch, he is batting .370 (10-for-27) with three homers, five RBI and seven runs.
JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Cardinals look to continue win streak, take on the Cubs
The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to keep a three-game win streak alive when they play the Chicago CubsJUNE 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyle Hendricks - Allows three runs Wednesday Hendricks pitched five innings against Milwaukee on Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one. He didn't factor in the decision.
Impact Hendricks missed very few bats in the outing, notching only two swinging strikes among 79 pitches and fanning only one batter. However, he was able to keep Chicago in the contest and avoided taking his third straight loss. Hendricks had allowed 11 runs over nine innings in his previous two starts coming into the contest, so this was a better (though not particularly impressive) outing. The veteran right-hander is expected to make his next start in Baltimore next week.
JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Christopher Morel continues to be a highlight for the Chicago Cubs, coming up clutch in win vs. Milwaukee Brewers Willson Contreras’ message to rookie Christopher Morel was exactly what he needed in that moment after falling behind 0-2 in the bottom of t...
JUNE 2, 2022 • TWINCITIES.COM
Christopher Morel continues to be a highlight for the Chicago Cubs, coming up clutch in win vs. Milwaukee Brewers Willson Contreras’ message to rookie Christopher Morel was exactly what he needed in that moment after falling behind 0-2 in the bottom of t...
JUNE 2, 2022 • MERCURYNEWS.COM
Morel hits sac fly in 10th as Cubs beat Brewers 4-3
Rookie Christopher Morel drove in Jason Heyward with a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3JUNE 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photos: Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 at Wrigley Field Photos from the Chicago Cubs-Milwaukee Brewers game at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
JUNE 2, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Cubs place lefty Smyly on 15-day IL with strained oblique CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed left-hander Drew Smyly on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a strained right oblique.The...
JUNE 1, 2022 • WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM
Cubs place lefty Smyly on 15-day IL with strained oblique
The Chicago Cubs have placed left-hander Drew Smyly on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right obliqueJUNE 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Live coverage: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field The Brewers finish an 11-game road trip tonight in Chicago.
JUNE 1, 2022 • JSONLINE.COM
Michael Rucker - Reinstated from 15-day injured list Rucker (toe) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Impact Rucker was on the injured list since May 19, but he recently made a rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa and allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless inning. The right-hander should reclaim his role as a low-leverage reliever in the Cubs' bullpen.
JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Nelson Velazquez - Sent to Triple-A Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.
Impact Velazquez spent the last few days with the Cubs and went 2-for-7 with two strikeouts over two games. However, the 23-year-old will head back to the minors after Jason Heyward (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.
JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Matt Swarmer - Stays in rotation Swarmer is scheduled to start one game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Cardinals in Chicago, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact The rookie right-hander will end up getting two starts this week after he struck out six Brewers while giving up four runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk in his MLB debut Monday. With Drew Smyly (oblique) joining Wade Miley (shoulder) and Alec Mills (back) on the injured list Wednesday, Swarmer looks like he'll have a path to sticking around as the Cubs' No. 5 starter beyond Saturday if he doesn't completely melt down against the Cardinals.
JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Manuel Rodríguez - Placed on 60-day IL Rodriguez (elbow) was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Impact Rodriguez has been on the 7-day minor-league injured list with a right elbow strain since April 14, and Wednesday's move will clear a spot on the Cubs' 40-man roster. The right-hander will be eligible to return in mid-June, but it seems likely that he'll head back to the minors once he's cleared for game action.
JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Drew Smyly - Placed on 15-day IL Smyly was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right oblique strain Wednesday, retroactive to May 31.
Impact Smyly exited Monday's nightcap against the Brewers due to a right oblique issue, and he'll land on the injured list after being diagnosed with a strain. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return, and the Cubs haven't announced who will take his place in the rotation.
JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Andrelton Simmons - On bench Wednesday Simmons isn't starting Wednesday against the Brewers.
Impact Simmons started in the last two games and went 1-for-5 with a run, an RBI and three strikeouts. Nick Madrigal will start at the keystone and bat ninth.
JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Patrick Mooney: The Cubs placed Drew Smyly on the injured list... - The Athletic The Cubs placed Drew Smyly on the injured list with a strained right oblique, optioned Nelson Velázquez to Triple-A Iowa and activated Jason...
JUNE 1, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Jason Heyward - Reinstated, starting Wednesday Heyward (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list and is starting Wednesday's game against the Brewers.
Impact The 32-year-old spent over two weeks on the COVID-19 IL, but he was cleared to resume baseball activities Wednesday. While Heyward saw most of his playing time in center field prior to his absence, he'll start in right field Wednesday since Seiya Suzuki (finger) is on the 10-day injured list. Christopher Morel will remain in the lineup in center field during the series finale against the Brewers.
JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
How the Cubs' veteran lefties have influenced Justin Steele A week ago, the lefties in the Cubs’ rotation outnumbered the right-handers. But the Cubs put Wade Miley on the IL, and Drew Smyly left his...
JUNE 1, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM
20-29 record aside, the Chicago Cubs enter June with a feeling of optimism. Here are 5 reasons why. The Chicago Cubs got off to a poor start, but the clubhouse is alive and there is optimism better days are ahead.
JUNE 1, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
