The Cubs selected Lopez's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
After being released by the Mets in unceremonious fashion, Lopez signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs on June 12. He allowed three runs in one inning during a game in the Arizona Complex League, but he bounced back by throwing 2.2 scoreless frames at Triple-A Iowa. Now that he's back in the majors, the 31-year-old right-hander will presumably work in middle relief. Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
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Cubs' Vinny Nittoli: Designated for assignment
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The Cubs designated Nittoli for assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Nittoli signed a major-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday, but he's now been DFA'd twice within the past week. He did not appear in a game during his 24-hour stint with Chicago. Nittoli elected free agency after being pushed off the Athletics' 40-man roster last week, though it's unclear if he intends to do so again. His departure clears room on the Cubs' active roster for Jorge Lopez, who was selected from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Seeking second opinion
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Almonte (shoulder) will get a second opinion next week, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Almonte sustained a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain and will receive a second opinion in the coming days. The 30-year-old was transferred to the 60-day IL on Thursday and can be considered out indefinitely.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Back in majors
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
With Keegan Thompson (ribs) headed for the injured list, Roberts will now join the big-league squad for the first time since 2022. He missed the entire 2023 campaign and the first couple of months of the 2024 season as a result of Tommy John surgery. However, he has not allowed a run in 13.1 innings with Iowa this year and owns an 18:6 K:BB. He'll likely work in middle relief while with Chicago.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Set for another bullpen
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Merryweather (ribs) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Merryweather will incorporate an up-and-down into the session to replicate a half inning. The 32-year-old is still rehabbing in Arizona, but he's been throwing off a mound for nearly two weeks and should be relatively close to beginning a rehab assignment. Still, Merryweather won't be reinstated from the IL until at least late July.
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Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Placed on injured list
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The Cubs placed Thompson on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right rib fracture, retroactive to Thursday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Thompson has fired 5.1 scoreless innings since returning from Triple-A Iowa on June 16, but he'll now be sidelined for at least the next two weeks as a result of his injury. Ethan Roberts will come up from the minors to fill the vacancy in Chicago's bullpen.
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Cubs' Moises Ballesteros: Success carrying over at Triple-A
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Ballesteros is hitting .394 with one home run in eight games since being promoted from Double-A Tennessee to Triple-A Iowa on June 18.
Most evaluators are low on Ballesteros' defense behind the plate, otherwise the 20-year-old would easily profile as Chicago's catcher of the future. He only threw out nine percent of base stealers this season at Double-A, and physically, the only big-league catcher he resembles is Alejandro Kirk. Ballesteros, who is listed at 5-foot-7, 195 pounds, is one of the most natural hitters in the minors. It's his premium hit tool and above-average power that will get him to the majors in some role, perhaps moving between catcher, first base and designated hitter.
Hodge worked around a hit to toss a scoreless 10th inning and earn the save in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Giants. He struck out one.
Incumbent closer Hector Neris pitched a clean ninth inning, then Hodge closed the door in the 10th, giving the rookie his first career MLB save. The 23-year-old righty has been solid so far with a 1.80 ERA and 15 strikeouts across 10 innings. The veteran Neris should stick in the closer role for now, but Hodge seems to be a viable option if the need arises.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Records quality start Thursday
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Imanaga allowed three runs on five hits across six innings but did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning win over the Giants. He walked two and struck out three.
This was a nice bounceback effort for Imanaga, who allowed 10 runs in his last outing against the surging Mets. The righty had a sparkling 1.89 ERA before that implosion, but he's still sitting with a solid 3.07 mark across his first 15 starts at the MLB level. While it was unlikely that Imanaga would continue his early season dominance, he should still be a strong fantasy option moving forward. He's tentatively lined up to start again Wednesday against a challenging Philadelphia lineup.
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Cubs' Ian Happ: Delivers big home run in win
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Happ went 1-for-3 with two walks and a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning win over the Giants.
Happ reached base twice via walks earlier in the contest, but it was his home run in the 10th inning that proved critical. The outfielder broke open a 3-3 tie with his 10th long ball of the year, and the Cubs held on for the victory. Happ has now reached double figures in homers in each of his eight MLB seasons, making him a steady if not spectacular fantasy contributor across his career.
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Cubs' Seiya Suzuki: Doubles, triples in win
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Suzuki went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and an RBI in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning win over the Giants.
Suzuki didn't rack up the counting stats, but he still had a solid effort in the win. He tallied his 11th double and second triple of the season, and he's now batting a solid .266 with a .796 OPS. Suzuki's game doesn't jump off the page, though he's been a steady contributor since he came over from Japan in 2022. The outfielder slashed .262/.336/.433 as a rookie, then followed that up with a .285/.357/.485 line last season. Suzuki is on pace for similar figures once again this year.
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Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Goes deep, swipes bag in win
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Hoerner went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning win over the Giants.
Hoerner blasted his third home run of the season in the third inning with a runner on and also stole his 14th base of the year The infielder is not known as a big power threat, as his career best in homers for a season is only 10, but he is a capable baserunner. Hoerner swiped a career-high 43 bases last year, and he had 20 stolen bases in 2022. Fantasy managers will hope he continues to run frequently the rest of the way.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Snags seventh win
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Neris (7-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the win in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning victory over the Giants.
Neris went through a rough patch earlier this month but has pitched better lately, tossing scoreless innings in consecutive outings with four total strikeouts. The veteran once again didn't see a save opportunity, as that went to Porter Hodge on Thursday, but it was encouraging to see Neris still work in a high-leverage spot. He figures to remain Chicago's closer moving forward, though he could be replaced if his struggles resurface.
Wesneski will remain in the Cubs' rotation following the injury to Javier Assad (forearm), Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Wesneski got a spot start Wednesday in San Francisco as the Cubs gave other members of their rotation some extra rest. However, with Assad landing on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Wesneski will stick in the rotation for the near future. He's tentatively lined up for two starts next week at home against the Phillies and Angels.
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Cubs' Jordan Wicks: Ruled out through All-Star break
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Wicks (oblique) is not expected to return until after the All-Star break, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Wicks was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain just under two weeks ago and has not yet been cleared to begin a throwing program. He'll need to be built back up and eventually require a rehab assignment before returning, so the left-hander still looks to be several weeks away.
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Cubs' Miguel Amaya: Getting breather Thursday
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Amaya is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in San Francisco.
Amaya started four of the first six games after Tomas Nido was added to the roster, but he'll yield to Nido for this one. The Cubs will be trying to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the Giants.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Hits IL with strained forearm
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The Cubs placed Assad on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right forearm extensor strain, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The injury has evidently been an issue for Assad off and on for about two weeks, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, which could help explain why he's stumbled in June with a 5.49 ERA after entering the month with a 2.27 mark. With Assad slated to miss at least two turns, Hayden Wesneski is likely to remain in the Cubs' rotation for a while.
