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Cubs News

Injuries piling up for Cubs as roster moves continue

2 years agoTony Andracki

It’s a busy time for the Cubs transactions page right now, as the roster is constantly in flux.

After several moves Monday, the team adjusted the roster again on Tuesday. The Cubs activated Wade Miley off the IL and sent outfielder Michael Hermosillo to the 10-day injured list with a left quad strain.

A couple hours later — just before game time Tuesday — the Cubs again shook up the roster. Nick Madrigal was placed on the 10-day IL with low back tightness and infielder Ildemaro Vargas was called up from Triple-A Iowa. Adrian Sampson was designated for assignment to clear room for Vargas on the 40-man roster.

In addition to the IL moves, Seiya Suzuki was scratched from Tuesday night’s game. He left Monday’s game with right ankle soreness but was initially in Tuesday’s lineup at DH. Instead, Yan Gomes was inserted into the DH spot.

The Cubs claimed Miley off waivers in early November but the veteran has been sidelined since the middle of Spring Training with an elbow injury. He will make his Cubs debut Tuesday night in San Diego.

Miley made a rehab start in Triple-A Iowa last Thursday, throwing 4 shutout innings and topping out at 41 pitches.

The 35-year-old southpaw has made 277 MLB starts over his 11-year career, compiling a 97-92 record and 4.15 ERA.

He had a great year with the Reds last season, going 12-7 with a 3.37 ERA while pitching half his games in a hitter’s park.

The Cubs initially acquired Miley with the hopes that he could bring stability and a veteran presence to the rotation. The team could certainly use that right now, as Marcus Stroman and Alec Mills are currently on the IL and Justin Steele had to leave his last start early with a thumb issue.

Madrigal, 25, has been the Cubs’ everyday second baseman for much of this season. After hitting .317 in 83 games with the White Sox in 2020-21, he hasn’t quite found his groove on the other side of town (.203 average, .491 OPS).

Vargas saw time with the Cubs in each of the past two seasons, playing in 6 games in 2020 and 9 contests in 2021. He can play all over the infield and provides a switch-hitting bat off the bench for manager David Ross.

Hermosillo, 27, hasn’t played since the doubleheader on Saturday and his move to the IL is retroactive to May 8. He has struggled to get going at the plate this season (2-for-28, .364 OPS) but the Cubs like his defensive ability in center field and he has provided another right-handed bat in the lineup when the team is facing a lefty starter.

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