Sunday, May 12

Injuries & Strikes: Ríos to Iowa as Mervis joins Cubs

May 5: 1B Matt Mervis chosen from Triple-A Iowa, INF Edwin Ríos optioned to Triple-A Iowa
As reported on May 4, the 25-year-old Mervis (Pipeline’s No. 6-ranked Cubs prospect) was formally promoted for his Major League debut with the Cubs. And he was within the beginning lineup at first base and hitting seventh. Mervis was off to a powerful begin with the I-Cubs, batting .286/.402/.560 with six homers, seven doubles, 27 RBIs and almost as many walks (18) as strikeouts (19). That stellar displaying got here after his breakout 2022, throughout which he had 36 homers, 40 doubles, 119 RBIs and a .984 OPS in his climb throughout High-A, Double-A and Triple-A.

Ríos hit simply .100 (2-for-20) in sporadic enjoying time as a primary baseman, designated hitter and pinch-hitter for the Cubs out of the gates this season. Expect Mervis to combine in both as a DH or at first, the place Chicago has a pair of veterans in Trey Mancini and Eric Hosmer. Both Mancini (90 OPS+) and Hosmer (79 OPS+) have carried out under common offensively general, although Mancini entered Friday with a .976 OPS in his final 14 video games.

May 4: RHP Jameson Taillon throws three innings in first begin off IL
Save for a three-batter stretch within the second that culminated in Lane Thomas’ three-run homer, Taillon regarded extraordinarily sharp throughout the Cubs’ 4-3 loss to the Nationals on Thursday. Working on a decent pitch rely in his first begin since April 15, Taillon struck out 4 with no stroll throughout three innings that quelled issues in regards to the left groin challenge that landed him on the IL final month. Taillon didn’t go on a rehab task previous to returning Thursday, constructing again up solely to 45 pitches in a bullpen earlier this week earlier than being activated.

May 3: C Yan Gomes positioned on 7-day concussion IL; RHP Javier Assad recalled from Triple-A Iowa
Gomes remained below analysis for 2 days after he was hit on the left facet of the pinnacle on a backswing throughout the Cubs’ sequence opener in Washington, D.C., on May 1. The workforce positioned Gomes on the 7-day concussion IL shortly earlier than first pitch Wednesday, recalling Assad from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding transfer. This is already Assad’s third stint within the huge leagues this yr. The 25-year-old owns a 9.82 ERA in three appearances, together with one begin.

Gomes, 35, was off to a pleasant begin in his second yr with the Cubs, hitting .294 with 5 homers and an .839 OPS in 19 video games. Tucker Barnhart changed Gomes within the sequence opener and began the following two video games of the four-game set, whereas the Cubs recalled prospect Miguel Amaya for catching depth. Gomes’ IL stint is backdated to May 2.

May 3: C Luis Torrens traded to Orioles
The Cubs acquired money concerns for Torrens, who was designated for task on April 28. Torrens appeared in 13 video games because the Cubs third catcher within the early going, hitting .250 with a .618 OPS and no homers.

C Yan Gomes (concussion signs)
Expected return:
Mid-May
Gomes was set to do some conditioning and lightweight baseball exercise on May 5. The catcher final appeared within the Cubs’ series-opening win over the Nationals on May 1, when he was eliminated within the second inning after being hit on the left facet of the pinnacle by a backswing one inning prior. He spent the higher a part of the following two days below analysis by the workforce, earlier than being positioned on the injured checklist. Gomes’ stint is backdated to May 2, which might make him eligible to return on May 9 if his signs have abated. (Last up to date: May 5)

RHP Kyle Hendricks (proper shoulder pressure)
Expected return: May
Hendricks was scheduled to throw in a bullpen session on May 6 at Wrigley Field, giving him an opportunity to be evaluated by the Cubs’ MLB employees. The righty made a second Minor League rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on May 3, constructing as much as 62 pitches whereas permitting 4 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings. Hendricks surrendered a grand slam and issued three walks within the outing, whereas additionally placing out three. Hendricks shook off some rust in his first rehab begin for the I-Cubs on April 27, permitting six runs whereas constructing as much as 54 pitches in his first affiliated recreation since July 5. But supervisor David Ross stated the efficiency points weren’t well being associated, and that Hendricks got here out of each outings feeling good. 

Hendricks is getting back from a capsular tear in his proper shoulder, and has been engaged on an altered arm path in his supply with the aim of avoiding an identical setback sooner or later. His IL stint is retroactive to March 27. (Last up to date: May 5)

LHP Brandon Hughes (left knee irritation)
Expected return: May
Hughes resumed enjoying catch as of May 5. The lefty has handled a left knee challenge at factors all through his profession, however the issue flared in Spring Training and led to an Opening Day stint on the IL. Hughes returned on April 17 and posted a 3.18 ERA with 9 strikeouts and two walks over 5 2/3 innings, however had the knee troubles come up once more. He was positioned again on the IL on April 29. Manager David Ross stated Hughes will get some wanted relaxation time whereas he works to regulate to a bulkier knee brace to assist handle the problem when he’s activated once more. (Last up to date: May 5)

RHP Codi Heuer (proper elbow surgical procedure)
Expected return: Midseason 2023
Heuer is ready to start a Minor League rehab task with Triple-A Iowa on May 6, when he’s slated to log one inning. Heuer had been getting constant work throughout simulated recreation motion in Arizona, and has been dealing with hitters once more since April 11. The reliever underwent Tommy John surgical procedure (full reconstruction with an inner brace) on March 7, 2022, and missed your complete season. Barring any setbacks, Heuer estimated this spring that he might goal “mid-June, early July” for his return from the IL. He was positioned on the 60-day IL on Feb. 20.

In 65 video games in 2021, Heuer had a 4.28 ERA, together with a 3.14 ERA in 25 appearances down the stretch for the Cubs, who acquired him from the White Sox within the Craig Kimbrel commerce. (Last up to date: May 5)

RHP Ethan Roberts (Tommy John surgical procedure)
Expected return:
Late 2023 or ’24
As Spring Training was nearing its finish, Roberts was constructed as much as round 105 ft on flat floor with no points in his throwing program. The pitcher is working his method as much as 120 ft earlier than a two-week tapering interval. He would then begin ramping up in direction of a lightweight “touch and feel” mound exercise. Roberts famous that he would seemingly start throwing every day within the close to future. The reliever underwent Tommy John surgical procedure on his proper elbow on July 13. Roberts was initially positioned on the injured checklist because of a proper shoulder challenge on May 2 after which exited a Minor League rehab outing on June 19 with the UCL harm. (Last up to date: March 25)

Content Source: www.mlb.com