AUGUST 19, 2023•KANSASCITY.COM
Royals vs. Cubs came down to one matchup. Here's what went wrong in Saturday's lossThe Royals didn’t allow a run after the fourth inning on Saturday, but the damage was already done.
Cody Bellinger and Justin Steele help Chicago Cubs top Kansas City Royals 6-4
Cody Bellinger homered twice and Justin Steele pitched six effective innings, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4AUGUST 19, 2023•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nelson Velázquez - Not starting SaturdayVelazquez will sit Saturday against the Cubs.
ImpactVelazquez went 0-for-3 in the series opener against his former team Friday and won't get a second chance against the team that dealt him for reliever Jose Cuas at the deadline just yet. Dairon Blanco will start in right field.
AUGUST 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Miles Mastrobuoni - Recalled from IowaThe Cubs recalled Mastrobuoni from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
ImpactDespite his lackluster MLB stats this season, Mastrobuoni appears to have rediscovered his swing over the last several weeks. He appeared in 13 games during his last major-league stint in July and slashed .324/.375/.432 with three RBI and 10 runs scored. Once he was optioned to Triple-A, his hot hitting continued with a .959 OPS since Aug. 1. Mastrobuoni will likely serve in a bench role with the Cubs, but the team could look for ways to get his hot bat in the game often. Tucker Barnhart was DFA'd in a corresponding move.
AUGUST 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Patrick Mooney: The Cubs DFA'd backup catcher Tucker Barnhart... - The AthleticThe Cubs DFA’d backup catcher Tucker Barnhart and recalled infielder Miles Mastrobuoni from Triple-A Iowa.
AUGUST 19, 2023•THEATHLETIC.COM
Kyle Isbel - Not in starting nineIsbel will be on the bench Saturday against the Cubs.
ImpactIsbel sits after starting seven straight games. He's hitting .252/.270/.389 in 40 games since returning from a hamstring injury in late June, which represents only a modest improvement from the .209/.250/.352 line he recorded prior to the injury. Drew Waters starts in center field Saturday.
AUGUST 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Tucker Barnhart - Designated for assignmentThe Cubs designated Barnhart for assignment Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
ImpactBarnhart already wasn't receiving much playing time as the third catcher on the Cubs' depth chart, and now he'll lose his spot on Chicago's 40-man roster. The 32-year-old backstop has slashed .202/.285/.257 through 123 plate appearances this season, which limits his chances of getting picked up off waivers. Miles Mastrobuoni was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.
AUGUST 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE
