CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

Drew Smyly - Nursing oblique issue Smyly was removed from his start in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Milwaukee due to right oblique soreness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact This certainly wasn't the news the Cubs were looking for, as oblique injuries often result in trips to the injured list, especially for pitchers. The club will likely re-evaluate Smyly in the coming days to determine whether he'll require a trip to the IL.

MAY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Smyly - Exits start with injury Smyly walked off the mound with the team trainer before the fourth inning of the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Milwaukee, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network rep...

Impact Smyly tossed a few warmup pitches prior to the top of the fourth inning, and he was then spotted being walked off the diamond. The nature of the injury is not known at this time.

MAY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs place Seiya Suzuki on 10-day IL, cut Robert Gsellman The Chicago Cubs placed rookie outfielder Seiya Suzuki on the 10-day injured list with a left ring finger sprain prior to the second game of...

MAY 30, 2022 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Brandon Hughes - Back in big leagues Hughes' contract was selected by the Cubs on Monday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Hughes spent 11 days on the roster as a replacement player while the Cubs had players on the COVID-19 injured list, but he was removed from the roster Saturday. He's back again just two days later as a regular member of the roster, and the spot seems deserved given that he recorded a 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB in his seven innings of work earlier in the month.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs place Seiya Suzuki on 10-day IL, cut Robert Gsellman.

The Chicago Cubs placed rookie outfielder Seiya Suzuki on the 10-day injured list with a left ring finger sprain prior

MAY 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Robert Gsellman - Designated for assignment Gsellman was designated for assignment Monday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Gsellman made eight appearances during his time on the roster, struggling to a 4.70 ERA while striking out just 14.1 percent of opposing batters. He's been a passable reliever for most of his career, so it's possible he gets claimed off waivers, but he's unlikely to find high-leverage work anywhere.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nelson Velazquez - Making first career start Velazquez is starting in right field and batting sixth in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Impact Velazquez was called up from Triple-A Iowa earlier Monday, replacing Jonathan Villar (mouth) on the active roster. The 23-year-old outfielder didn't see action in the first game, but he'll make his MLB debut in the second half of the doubleheader. Velazquez was slashing .214/.291/.414 through 19 games at Triple-A, though he had a stronger .288/.394/.700 line in 22 games at Double-A Tennessee this year.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Seiya Suzuki - Placed on injured list Suzuki was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a sprained left ring finger, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact The injury has kept Suzuki sidelined since Thursday, so the transaction can be backdated three days, allowing him to return next Tuesday. Whether or not a minimum-length stay is in play is not yet clear. Reliever Brandon Hughes was called up to take his place on the roster, with Rafael Ortega, Nelson Velazquez and Clint Frazier likely to spend time in right field in his absence.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Mooney: Prior to Game 2 of today's doubleheader, the... - The Athletic Prior to Game 2 of today’s doubleheader, the Cubs placed outfielder Seiya Suzuki on the injured list with a sprained left ring finger, calle...

MAY 30, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Christopher Morel - Leading off again in Game 2 Morel is starting at second base and batting first in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Impact Morel led off the first game as well, giving him six straight starts atop the order, and he went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk. The rookie has gotten off to a nice start, batting .289 with an .885 OPS through his first 12 games in the majors, so the Cubs are rewarding him with regular playing time. As long as he's leading off games and hitting the ball consistently, Morel should be a fairly productive fantasy asset, particularly if he keeps racking up stolen bases. The 23-year-old has four steals in six attempts so far.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Clint Frazier - Starting Game 2 on Monday Frazier is starting in left field and batting seventh in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Impact Frazier was activated from the injured list Saturday following an absence of a little more than a month due to an appendectomy, though he's yet to record an at-bat since returning. The outfielder has played in only 11 games this season, recording a .143/.250/.238 slash line with no home runs or RBI. He won't be on the fantasy radar unless he's able to secure regular playing time moving forward.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rafael Ortega - Out for Game 2 Ortega is not in the lineup for the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Impact Ortega started the first game in center, going 3-for-4 with a solo home run, his second of the season, and two runs scored. The outfielder will return to the bench for Game 2, with Clint Frazier, Ian Happ and Nelson Velazquez playing the outfield from left to right, and Frank Schwindel serving as the DH against Milwaukee lefty Aaron Ashby. Ortega should still start frequently against righties.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

P.J. Higgins - Hits first MLB home run Higgins went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Impact Making the start behind the plate with Willson Contreras serving as the DH in the early game, Higgins popped his first MLB home run in the fourth inning. It was also the first RBI of the season for the 29-year-old. Higgins will return to the bench for the second game Monday, with Contreras taking over as the catcher.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Hoerner - On bench for Game 2 Hoerner will sit for the second half of Monday's doubleheader against Milwaukee.

Impact Hoerner looked great in Game 1, going 3-for-5 with three RBI in the Cubs' 7-6 loss. Andrelton Simmons will start at shortstop in the nightcap.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Seiya Suzuki - Remains out of lineup for nightcap Suzuki (finger) isn't starting the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Impact Manager David Ross said after Monday's matinee that Suzuki could require a trip to the injured list, so it isn't very surprising to see him remain out of the lineup for the second game of the twin bill. Nelson Velazquez will remain in right field and bat sixth.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Seiya Suzuki - Could require IL stint Manager David Ross indicated Monday that Suzuki (finger) could require a trip to the injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Suzuki wasn't in the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers, marking his third consecutive game on the bench. However, the outfielder participated in pregame activities and didn't feel very good afterward. If Suzuki ultimately requires time on the 10-day IL, Rafael Ortega, Clint Frazier and Nelson Velazquez should see additional playing time in the outfield.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Brewers take 2 from Cubs, Taylor HRs in both, Ashby fans 12

Tyrone Taylor homered in both games, Aaron Ashby struck out a career-high 12 in the nightcap and the Milwaukee Brewers swept a doubleheader from the Chicago Cubs 7-6 and 3-1, Luis...

MAY 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pete Crow-Armstrong - Advances to High-A Crow-Armstrong was promoted to High-A South Bend on Monday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Crow-Armstrong demolished Single-A pitching through 38 games for Myrtle Beach, slashing .354/.443/.557. He added seven homers and 13 steals, while his 18.0 percent strikeout rate and 12.0 percent walk rate both represented strong marks. He'll face a tougher test at South Bend, but another promotion later in the year can't be ruled out if he continues to find success.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Brewers place Woodruff on IL, recall Strzelecki

The Milwaukee Brewers placed right-handed starter Brandon Woodruff on the 15-day injured list with a right high ankle sprain on Monday before their split doubleheader with the Chic...

MAY 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

After a freak injury sends Jonathan Villar to IL, Chicago Cubs call up Nelson Velázquez and Matt Swarmer for debuts The Chicago Cubs promoted outfielder Nelson Velázquez and right-hander Matt Swarmer for their MLB debut Monday.

MAY 30, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Cubs doubleheader vs. Brewers filled with MLB debuts, Jonathan Villar to IL The Cubs called up Matt Swarmer, Nelson Velázquez and Anderson Espinoza for the double-header Monday.

MAY 30, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

Former Red Sox prospect Anderson Espinoza called up by Cubs nearly 6 years after being traded for Drew Pomeranz Anderson Espinoza, who the Red Sox traded to the Padres for Drew Pomeranz, is finally getting his major league chance.

MAY 30, 2022 • MASSLIVE.COM

Patrick Mooney: The Cubs promoted Pete Crow-Armstrong, the... - The Athletic The Cubs promoted Pete Crow-Armstrong, the center fielder acquired from the Mets in the Javier Báez trade, to High-A South Bend.

MAY 30, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Seiya Suzuki - Remains out for Game 1 Monday Suzuki (finger) is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Impact Suzuki will miss his third straight contest since injuring his finger while sliding into second Thursday. Nelson Velazquez will get the start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's day game.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Anderson Espinoza - Recalled to serve as 27th man Espinoza was recalled from Double-A Tennessee on Monday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Espinoza will join the Cubs as their 27th man for Monday's doubleheader versus the Brewers. He's yet to make his major-league debut and will be available out of the bullpen. After being acquired from the Padres in July, Espinoza has posted a 7.31 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 36 punchouts in 28.1 frames over eight starts at Double-A this season.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE