Cubs activate outfielder off IL, insert fresh face into bullpen mix
Fresh out of the All-Star break, the Cubs will have a new face in their bullpen and a familiar one returning in their outfield mix.
They are activating Mike Tauchman off the IL and selecting the contract of righty reliever Jesús Tinoco. The Cubs optioned outfielder Alexander Canario to clear a spot on the active roster for Tauchman and moved left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster for Tinoco. The Cubs had an open spot on the active roster after optioning Daniel Palencia to Triple-A on Wednesday.
The Cubs acquired Tinoco, 29, for cash considerations from the Royals earlier this week.
Tauchman landed on the IL on June 18 with a left groin strain. Like last season, he was a key fixture in the Cubs’ offensive mix this season — he’s hitting .259 with a 115 weighted runs-created plus. Both are actually better than he had last season (.252/107 wRC+).
His return gives manager Craig Counsell another option to use in his lineup, especially after the injury to Cody Bellinger before the break. The 33-year-old can play across all three outfield spots and can man the DH spot, too.
Tinoco signed a minor-league deal with Kansas City earlier this month and has 10 strikeouts in 6.2 innings while allowing 3 runs at Triple-A Omaha. He signed in the offseason with Texas on a minor-league deal and posted a 8.10 ERA in 10 innings before being let go.
He joined Texas this winter after a successful season in Japan in 2023, where he had a 2.83 ERA in 38 games with the Seibu Lions.
“[I’m]ready for whatever the team needs,” Tinoco said before the game. “I’m very happy — super happy for the opportunity to be part of this beautiful organization.”
Canario was called up just before the All-Star break, when Cody Bellinger landed on the IL with a left middle finger fracture. He was 1-for-3 in 2 games.
Wicks has been on the IL since June 15 with a right oblique strain. He had “plateaued” in his recovery the team said earlier this month. With his recovery timeline, he was going to be out the 60 days.
