The Cubs play tonight with a 21-15 record and are in first place in the National League Central. They lost the first game of the series to the Padres last night, six to three, but will look to rebound tonight. After this three-game series with the Padres, the Cubs will head to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates. Today, before the game, they announced four roster moves.
RHP – Daniel Palencia
Palencia was placed on the 15-day injured list today with a right shoulder strain. He has one loss in seven games this season and has pitched 11 innings with a 6.55 ERA, a 1.73 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts.
1B/OF – Cody Bellinger
The Cubs have activated Bellinger off the 10-day injured list, and he will DH tonight against the Padres. He has played in 22 games so far this year and has scored ten runs, 19 hits, one double, one triple, five home runs, 17 RBIs, 11 walks, and 15 strikeouts. He is currently slashing .226/.320/.440 with a .760 OPS on the year.
LF – Alexander Canario
Canario was optioned to the Iowa Cubs ahead of the game with the Padres. He has played in 13 games so far for the Cubs, scoring four runs, six hits, one double, one home run, two RBIs, two walks, 11 strikeouts, and one stolen base. He has slashed .273/.360/.455 with a .815 OPS on the year.
RHP – Keegan Thompson
The Cubs have recalled Thompsom from the Iowa Cubs today. In seven games this year, he has one win, a 3.38 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP in 10.2 innings. He has allowed eight hits, four earned runs, four walks, and 14 strikeouts.
Wrap Up:
The Cubs got Justin Steele back last night. Even though the results weren’t what the team had hoped for, they still have their ace back in the fold. Tonight, we get Bellinger back, and soon, Seiya Suzuki will be back, and the team will be back to full strength in the field, at least. The team has held it together and played good baseball despite missing the essential parts of the roster. The Cubs have to try and win this series vs the Padres before heading to play the Pirates, which on paper is a series the Cubs should win, but being within the division, anything can happen.
