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LATEST NEWS
May 25: RHP Kyle Hendricks activated off injured list; Nick Madrigal optioned to Triple-A Iowa
In order to activate Hendricks off the injured list — a move announced by manager David Ross on Wednesday night — the Cubs optioned Madrigal to Triple-A Iowa. Ross said the goal was to get Madrigal “back on track” through regular playing time in Iowa’s infield.
“He started off swinging the bat pretty good,” Ross said. “We’ve got a lot of guys competing for playing time over there at third base, and there’s just not a lot of room for that skill set right now. [We’re] trying to get him back to being able to find his timing and put consistently good swings on the baseball. Getting on base is a high priority.”
Right now, the Cubs have a mix of Patrick Wisdom, Miles Mastrobuoni and Edwin Ríos at third base.
In 34 games this season, the 26-year-old Madrigal slashed .247/.286/.301 with a .185 (5-for-27) showing in his last eight games. He had not started for the Cubs since May 19. In 152 innings at third this year, Madrigal posted three outs above average, per Statcast, along with two defensive runs saved. His 91.1 percent contact rate was second in MLB (min. 90 plate appearances).
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Nick Burdi (appendectomy)
Expected return: TBD
The 30-year-old Burdi underwent an appendectomy on May 24, and was placed on the 15-day injured list while he recovers. Burdi had made three appearances for the Cubs since being promoted the prior week. (Last updated: May 24)
OF Cody Bellinger (left knee contusion)
Expected return: Late May/Early June
Bellinger landed awkwardly while making a leaping catch late in Chicago’s May 15 game against the Astros. The Cubs gave him three recovery days before making the decision to place him on the IL (retroactive to May 16). Cubs manager David Ross said on May 19 in Philadelphia that the center fielder’s knee was “responding slowly,” so Chicago opted to take a more cautious approach.
As of May 19, Bellinger had resumed workouts and hitting in the cage. He was scheduled to track pitches in the bullpen on May 23. (Last updated: May 23)
RHP Brad Boxberger (right forearm strain)
Expected return: TBD
Boxberger underwent further evaluation in Chicago that revealed no structural damage, according to manager David Ross. The right-hander will rest and start building back up once he’s pain free.
“I don’t think it’s some super long thing we’re going to have to deal with or any kind of surgery,” Ross said on May 23.
Boxberger landed on the 15-day IL on May 15 due to the arm issue. Ross noted that a groin issue earlier this season led to some delivery flaws, which may have contributed to the arm discomfort. Boxberger was sitting around 92-93 mph with his fastball in early April but saw his velocity dip to the 90-91 mph range in more recent outings. The righty has a 5.52 ERA with 13 strikeouts and nine walks in 14 2/3 innings (17 games) this season. (Last updated: May 23)
60-day IL
RHP Codi Heuer (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: Midseason 2023
Heuer logged 1 2/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Iowa on May 24, striking out two, walking one and allowing a hit. It marked the right-hander’s seventh Minor League rehab appearance with Iowa. Heuer, who is scheduled to throw again for the I-Cubs on Saturday, has consistently reached 97-99 mph with his fastball in his return to game action.
Heuer underwent Tommy John surgery (full reconstruction with an internal brace) on March 7, 2022, and missed the entire season. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 20 this past spring and is eligible to return May 29. In 65 games in ’21, he had a 4.28 ERA, including a 3.14 ERA in 25 appearances down the stretch for the Cubs, who acquired Heuer from the White Sox in the Craig Kimbrel trade.(Last updated: May 25)
RHP Adrian Sampson (right knee)
Expected return: TBD
The Cubs announced that Sampson underwent a meniscal debridement on his right knee on May 5. The pitcher’s timetable for return is undetermined. Sampson, 31, was a candidate for a rotation job this spring after logging a 3.11 ERA in 104 1/3 innings for the Cubs last season, which included a 1.71 ERA in his last eight turns.
The righty struggled in the spring and then posted an 8.64 ERA with 10 walks in 8 1/3 innings with Triple-A Iowa before being shelved due to injury issues. Sampson was recalled by Chicago and placed on the 15-day IL on May 4. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 15. (Last updated: May 15)
RHP Ethan Roberts (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Late 2023 or ’24
As Spring Training was nearing its end, Roberts was built up to around 105 feet on flat ground with no issues in his throwing program. The pitcher is working his way up to 120 feet before a two-week tapering period. He would then start ramping up towards a light “touch and feel” mound workout.
Roberts noted that he would likely begin throwing daily in the near future. The reliever underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on July 13. Roberts was initially placed on the injured list due to a right shoulder issue on May 2 and then exited a Minor League rehab outing on June 19 with the UCL injury. (Last updated: March 25)
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