MAY 24, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
CHICAGO CUBS 83-79 · 3RD IN NL CENTRAL
83-79 · 3RD IN NL CENTRAL
Willson Contreras remains out of the Chicago Cubs lineup, but manager David Ross says an IL stint is unlikely The last thing the struggling Chicago Cubs need is catcher Willson Contreras sidelined by an injury.
Nico Hoerner - Takes grounders Monday Hoerner (ankle) took grounders prior to Monday's game against the Reds, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact Hoerner has been on the injured list for just over 10 days due to a right ankle sprain, but he's been participating in baseball activities recently. Manager David Ross said Monday that the 25-year-old is close to returning, so it's possible he'll be activated within the next few days.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sean Newcomb - Starting up rehab assignment Newcomb (ankle) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact Newcomb has been on the shelf for under two weeks with the left ankle sprain, so he likely won't require more than an appearance or two in the minors before the Cubs are comfortable activating him. Between stops with Atlanta and Chicago this season, Newcomb has made six relief appearances covering 8.1 innings and has given up seven earned runs on 10 hits and five walks.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Daniel Norris - Overcomes Achilles soreness Norris (Achilles) made back-to-back relief appearances Friday and Saturday in losses to the Diamondbacks, covering 1.2 innings between the outings while allowing one earned run on...
Impact Heading into the weekend, Norris was considered day-to-day with a right Achilles soreness, but the appearances on consecutive days imply that he's back to full strength as the Cubs prepare for a six-game week. The 29-year-old lefty has served mostly as a low-leverage reliever for Chicago this season, posting a 5.68 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB in 12.2 innings.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Andrelton Simmons - Not starting Monday Simmons isn't starting Monday against the Reds.
Impact Simmons started in five of the last seven games and went 3-for-18 with two runs, two RBI, a stolen base, a walk and three strikeouts. Christopher Morel will take over at shortstop and bat ninth.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Willson Contreras - Remains out of lineup Contreras (hamstring) isn't starting Monday's game against the Reds.
Impact Contreras suffered a right hamstring strain during Saturday's loss to the Diamondbacks, and he's considered day-to-day. With Contreras out of the lineup for a second straight game, Yan Gomes will start behind the dish and bat fifth.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ex-Royal Frank Schwindel was part of a feat unseen by Cubs since Ernie Banks played Former Royal Frank Schwindel hit a game-winning (and historic) home run off former Royal Ian Kennedy.
MAY 23, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
Cubs' Willson Contreras day-to-day with strained hamstring Manager David Ross said Contreras will get a couple of days off and “see how it feels” after the Cubs catcher left Saturday’s game with the...
MAY 23, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM
Reds take on the Cubs in first of 4-game series
The Cincinnati Reds begin a four-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs on MondayMAY 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Back-to-back homers by Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel help Chicago Cubs avoid a 4-game sweep Frank Schwindel and Patrick Wisdom became the first pair of Chicago Cubs to hit back-to-back homers in consecutive games since Ernie Banks a...
MAY 23, 2022 • ORLANDOSENTINEL.COM
Ian Happ - Returns with two hits Happ went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.
Impact After an off day Saturday, Happ returned with a solid performance Sunday. The outfielder has been playing well lately, as he's batting .281 over his past 10 games with a home run, three RBI and six runs scored. He's also struck out just five times in those contests. Limiting whiffs will be critical for Happ moving forward if he wants to finish the year strong.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
P.J. Higgins - Drives in three Sunday Higgins went 1-for-3 with a walk, a triple and three RBI in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.
Impact Making his first start of the season for the Cubs after getting called up from Triple-A Iowa before the game, Higgins made an immediate impact from the No. 9 spot in the order. The triple was the first of the 29-year-old's MLB career, as were the RBI. Higgins appeared in nine games with Chicago last season, recording just one hit and two walks across 23 at-bats. He should provide some catching depth behind Willson Contreras, who is considered day-to-day with a hamstring strain, and Yan Gomes.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Frank Schwindel - Hits clutch home run Sunday Schwindel went 1-for-2 with two walks, a solo home run and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.
Impact The home run, Schwindel's fourth of the season, was a big one, as it gave the Cubs a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning that ended up being the final score. It was the second homer in as many days for the first baseman, who tallied just two long balls in his first 36 games of the season. Schwindel is seeing regular playing time these days, so the power surge could continue in the coming week.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Patrick Wisdom - Goes deep again Sunday Wisdom went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.
Impact Wisdom hit a game-tying home run against Arizona reliever Ian Kennedy in the eighth inning. It was his third home run in as many days and fourth over the last seven games, giving him a total of nine long balls for the season. Wisdom may not hit for a great average anytime soon, as he's batting just .219 after hitting .231 last year, but the power looks real. The third baseman popped 28 home runs in just 106 games last season and could be on pace to reach 30 homers for the first time in his career this year.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
This Cubs duo 1st since Banks/Hickman to achieve HR feat CHICAGO -- Schwisdom. That was on the shirt Patrick Wisdom wore after the Cubs' 5-4 victory over the D-backs on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley...
MAY 22, 2022 • MLB.COM
Lovullo 'very pleased' with showing vs. Cubs CHICAGO -- After dropping the first four games of their road trip to the Dodgers, the D-backs came within six outs of completing a four-game...
MAY 22, 2022 • MLB.COM
Keegan Thompson - Earns relief win Thompson (4-0) earned the win during Sunday's 5-4 victory over Arizona, allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts in three relief innings.
Impact Thompson relieved starter Wade Miley in the seventh inning and let in the go-ahead run, but Chicago was able to rally in the bottom of the eighth to give the 27-year-old his fourth win. Thompson figures to keep a high-leverage bullpen role now that Chicago has five healthy starters and can still prove to be a valuable asset, though a 3.53 FIP suggests his 1.54 ERA will increase soon.
MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Alec Mills - Completes rehab start Mills (back) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Sunday and tossed 2.1 innings in his start against Columbus. He worked 2.1 innings and gave up one run on two hits and a w...
Impact Mills pitched in a game for the first time since April 23, when he experienced quad tightness that resulted in him being pulled off his initial rehab assignment at Iowa for the ensuing month. He tossed 43 pitches (25 strikes) on Sunday, but he'll still likely need at least two more rehab start before the Cubs entertain bringing him back from the 60-day injured list. Before he was placed on the IL shortly before Opening Day, Mills looked to be in good position to claim a rotation spot for the Cubs, but he might have to settle for a long-relief role once he's formally activated.
MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Wade Miley - Quality start in no-decision Miley didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 5-4 win against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in six innings.
Impact Miley was given an early three-run lead and cruised through the first five innings but ran into trouble by allowing four baserunners with two out in the sixth tie the game. The 35-year-old tossed a season-high 85 pitches but induced just five swinging strikes and he's now recorded 10 strikeouts in 16 total innings. After a poor outing on April 10, Miley has surrendered three runs in 13 innings over his last two starts and will look to keep rolling against the White Sox next weekend.
MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Wisdom, Schwindel homer as Cubs rally past Diamondbacks 5-4
Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel hit consecutive homers against Ian Kennedy in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 to avoid a four-game seri...MAY 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ildemaro Vargas - Pushed off 40-man roster The Cubs designated Vargas for assignment Sunday.
Impact Vargas was deemed expendable with the Cubs needing a spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for catcher P.J. Higgins, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa to provide a healthy option behind the plate while backstop Willson Contreras (hamstring) is day-to-day. During his nearly two-week stay with Chicago, Vargas appeared in 10 games and hit .130/.231/.348 over 26 plate appearances.
MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Christopher Morel - Retreats to bench Morel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Impact Morel started each of the past four games at three different positions, going a collective 4-for-14 with a home run, a stolen base, two walks, two runs and two RBI. Though the Cubs don't have a spot available for Morel in the everyday lineup, he should play regularly against left-handed pitching while he's up with the big club.
MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
P.J. Higgins - Called up, starting Sunday The Cubs selected Higgins' contract from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday. He'll start at catcher and bat ninth in the Cubs' series finale with the Diamondbacks.
Impact Top backstop Willson Contreras is considered day-to-day with a hamstring injury, so Higgins was brought aboard from Triple-A to provide another option behind the plate. In addition to playing catcher, Higgins received reps at both corner-infield spots at Iowa and slashed .417/.500/.569 in 86 plate appearances with the affiliate this season.
MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Diamondbacks 3B Josh Rojas sidelined by bruised left hand
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Josh Rojas is out of the starting lineup against the Chicago Cubs because of a left hand contusionMAY 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs C Willson Contreras day to day with hamstring injury
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross has praised catcher Willson Contreras for speaking up after he felt some tightness in his right hamstringMAY 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
