Injuries & Moves: Javy available in NY
Keep track of the Cubs’ recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season.
ROSTER MOVES
June 12: RHP Trevor Megill recalled from Triple-A Iowa
Megill was with the big league club early this season, appearing in two games. He didn't allow a run over two innings.
June 12: RHP Kohl Stewart optioned to Triple-A Iowa
Stewart heads back to Iowa after his second stint with Chicago this season. He was recalled June 8 and got the start in the series opener against the Cardinals on Friday. He went four-plus innings, yielding five runs on six hits and two walks, leaving his ERA at 5.68 for the season.
INJURY UPDATES
Day to day
SS Javier Báez (thumb)
Báez was scratched from the lineup on Sunday due to a right thumb issue. On Monday, manager David Ross said Báez is getting better, but Báez was not in Monday’s starting lineup, although he did come off the bench to pinch-hit in the eighth inning of the 5-2 loss. (Last updated: June 14)
10-day IL
3B David Bote (left shoulder dislocation)
Expected return: TBD
Manager David Ross said on Monday that Bote has been able to hit and take ground balls. “He has started to get into that routine. He is building back up,” Ross said about Bote, who landed on the 10-day IL after he dislocated his left shoulder sliding past second base on May 29. (Last updated: June 14)
3B Matt Duffy (lower back strain)
Expected return: June
According to manager David Ross, Duffy could begin a rehab assignment soon as long as everything trends in the right direction. Duffy has continued to do fielding, running and batting practice with no setbacks. On June 8, he took on-field BP for the first time since landing on the IL on May 25. (Last updated: June 14)
LHP Justin Steele (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: June
Manager David Ross noted that Steele threw a 35-pitch bullpen session on June 6 that went "OK," compared to a "very encouraging" mound workout earlier in the week. Ross said on June 12 that Steele will likely throw another bullpen session in the "next day or two." A Minor League rehab assignment could follow. (Last updated: June 12)
RHP Adbert Alzolay (blister on right middle finger)
Expected return: June 18
Alzolay exited his June 7 start against the Padres in the fourth inning due to a blister on his right middle finger. Prior to leaving the game, the pitcher experienced a notable drop in velocity on his final two pitches (90.4 mph and 90.8 mph) on a night he averaged 93.6 mph on his sinker. Alzolay allowed four runs on five hits and issued five walks compared to four strikeouts in three-plus innings (82 pitches). The Cubs are optimistic Alzolay can return after the IL stint. (Last updated: June 8)
2B Nico Hoerner (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: TBD
Hoerner was placed on the 10-day IL on May 26 after leaving the previous night's game with a hamstring strain that he sustained while running to first base on a groundout. As of June 8, Hoerner had added some light baseball activities again, including playing catch and hitting off a tee. Hoerner went through agility drills in the outfield on June 11 at Wrigley Field. (Last updated: June 11)
C P.J. Higgins (right forearm strain)
Expected return: TBD
Prior to the Cubs' opener against the Cardinals, Higgins was placed on the 10-day IL with a right forearm strain. The rookie catcher was 1-for-23 in his stint as the backup to All-Star Willson Contreras. (Last updated: June 11)
RHP Trevor Williams (appendectomy)
Expected return: TBD
Williams is throwing daily, according to manager David Ross. Williams plans to see a doctor later this week to get the full go ahead to start baseball activities. After the checkup, the Cubs should know how close Williams is to returning to action. Williams underwent an emergency appendectomy on May 30. (Last updated: June 14)
60-day IL
RHP Rowan Wick (left oblique strain)
Expected return: TBD
Wick noted he “felt good” after a recent throwing session, manager David Ross said May 25. He’s eligible to return from the 60-day IL as early as May 31. (Last updated: May 25)
C Austin Romine (left wrist sprain)
Expected return: TBD
Romine was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL on May 5. He won’t be eligible to return until late June at the earliest. (Last updated: May 25)
RHP Jonathan Holder (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: TBD
On April 26, Holder was moved from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL. Though he is eligible to return on May 31, there’s no indication that he’s anywhere close to being back. Holder hasn’t pitched at any level in 2021. (Last updated: May 25)