Injuries & Moves: Progress for pitchers Steele, Wesneski, Merryweather
LATEST NEWS
Steele vows to return this season after being placed on IL
CHICAGO -- Standing at his locker on Tuesday afternoon, when the Cubs were still weighing whether to place Justin Steele on the injured list as the team clings to the fringe of the playoff race, the lefty did not hesitate when asked if he thought he would pitch again this
Cubs top prospect Horton likely done for the year
CHICAGO -- Cade Horton’s 2024 season is likely over. Horton (the Cubs’ No. 1 prospect, No. 17 overall, according to MLB Pipeline) suffered a setback in his rehab from a right lat strain, MLB.com confirmed. The expectation is he will get back to throwing, but given where the calendar is,
Alzolay to have season-ending Tommy John surgery
CHICAGO -- Adbert Alzolay entered this season hoping to build on his breakout showing last year as the Cubs closer. Injuries interfered with his performance and ability to stay on the field, and now he is at risk of missing the 2025 campaign. Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that Alzolay
Alzolay expected to undergo surgery, miss rest of '24
CHICAGO -- Cubs reliever Adbert Alzolay, who is on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain, is likely to undergo arm surgery, which would end his 2024 season. Alzolay is seeking second opinions to determine the exact details of what the procedure will entail, according to Cubs manager
With Wicks, Brown injured, could Hendricks return to rotation?
CHICAGO -- The Cubs’ starting pitching depth is being put to the test by injuries. Jordan Wicks exited his start against the Cardinals on Friday with a right oblique strain, Cubs manager Craig Counsell said following Chicago’s 3-0 loss to St. Louis at Wrigley Field. The 24-year-old left-hander is expected
Hoerner's return uncertain after imaging reveals right hand fracture
CINCINNATI -- Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner went through running drills in left field at Great American Ball Park on Saturday afternoon and wrapped up his workout by signing autographs for a group of fans watching from the stands. When fans can see him take the field again is less
Swanson (right knee sprain) heads to IL; Suzuki returns
PITTSBURGH -- The Cubs got a big part of their offense back on Friday, but they also lost another piece for at least the next 10 days. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki was activated from the 10-day IL, but shortstop Dansby Swanson was placed on the 10-day IL with a right knee
Ribs still aching, Bellinger homers in first game off IL
CHICAGO -- Cody Bellinger went through all the necessary tests to make sure he could feel like himself. The biggest step arrived Monday, when the Cubs’ center fielder faced live pitching at Wrigley Field and did not hold anything back with his swing. The way Bellinger felt in that session
Steele back and in form: 'That's a big deal'
CHICAGO – When Justin Steele dropped to the grass in Globe Life Field on Opening Day, grabbing at his left leg, it was easy to think through worst-case scenarios for the Cubs’ rotation. A little more than a month later, the lefty rejoined a group that has more than held
'Way better': Bellinger (fractured ribs) ramps up activity
BOSTON -- Cody Bellinger tossed a baseball lightly in left field at Fenway Park on Sunday evening, and flashed a smile as he continued to play catch. It was a positive step in a day full of them for the Cubs center fielder, who is sidelined due to two fractured
Cubs keep up winning ways after putting Bellinger (rib fracture) on IL
CHICAGO – Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger was feeling positive on Tuesday night when X-rays on his right side came back negative for anything alarming after he ran into Wrigley Field's brick wall trying to make a catch. He even maintained his sense of humor after departing the game early.
With Hendricks out, Wicks steps up to stifle Astros
CHICAGO -- There is no established timeline for Kyle Hendricks' return to the Cubs’ rotation. The veteran starter was officially shelved on Tuesday due to a back issue, but beyond that health setback there will be the ongoing search for a solution to his persistent pitching woes. “We’re not going
Suzuki placed on 10-day IL with right oblique strain
PHOENIX -- It was just about the ultimate routine play. In his final at-bat of Sunday’s win over the Mariners, Seiya Suzuki shot a grounder to third and then chugged down the line. But then, he uncharacteristically began to slow. While he ran -- but not during his swing, the
Injured Steele to miss April, but Cubs encouraged by MRI
ARLINGTON -- Given the way Justin Steele walked off the field after his abbreviated Opening Day start on Thursday night, Cubs manager Craig Counsell prepared himself for some tough news. Following tests on the pitcher’s ailing leg, Counsell said the early feedback can be classified as positive. The Cubs are
Steele's 'spirits are high' after suffering hamstring injury
ARLINGTON -- Justin Steele stayed with the play and recorded an impressive out, but it came at a cost for the Cubs’ Opening Day starter. The North Siders will now hope that the sight of the left-hander clutching the back of his left leg on Thursday night does not prove
Cubs not worried about Steele's status for Opening Day
MESA, Ariz. -- Justin Steele pointed out that Globe Life Field is the third-closest baseball stadium to where a lot of his family lives in southeast Mississippi. That being the case, the Cubs lefty is expecting plenty of family and friends to make the trip to Texas to see him
Stroman has right rib cage fracture, no timeline for return
CHICAGO -- The Cubs were expecting to have Marcus Stroman off the injured list and back on the mound at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night. That plan fell apart when the All-Star pitcher reported discomfort in his right side as the team left Toronto this past weekend. Now, the Cubs
Stroman sidelined, but 'not even slightly worried'
CHICAGO -- Cubs starter Marcus Stroman said there wasn’t one specific thing that led to his hip ailment. But there was a point when the right-hander knew it was time to address the lingering issue. “When I felt like I had zero lower half,” Stroman said Wednesday. “I felt like
Swanson (left heel contusion) to miss ASG, heads to IL
NEW YORK -- A day after he announced that he would not play in the All-Star Game in Seattle on Tuesday, Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 6, because of a left heel contusion Swanson hurt his heel running the bases against
Blister, shaky defense force early end to London 'Stro Show'
LONDON -- After the Cubs’ victory in the London Series opener against the rival Cardinals, manager David Ross had some advice for anyone who could grab tickets for Sunday’s game at London Stadium. “They've gotta come out and see the Stro Show,” Ross said. Unfortunately for Chicago, the show only
Steele's IL stint gives Cubs another challenge: 'Never easy'
SAN DIEGO -- Justin Steele headed out to left field at Petco Park on Saturday afternoon and went through a routine round of catch, with a member of the Cubs’ training staff observing. By all accounts, no alarms were sounded in the left-hander’s first test since he exited his last
Steele's status looms large after loss to Rays
CHICAGO -- Justin Steele wanted to keep pitching, but Cubs manager David Ross did not like the look of how the lefty was flexing his hand and stretching his arm on Wednesday afternoon. Given Steele’s importance to the rotation, Ross pulled the plug after three perfect innings against the Rays.
Belli's left knee 'a little sore' after wall robbery of Tucker
HOUSTON -- Seiya Suzuki initially thrust both arms skyward in celebration of center fielder Cody Bellinger's leaping catch at the wall in Monday night's 6-4 loss to the Astros. Soon after, the Cubs' right fielder was motioning for an athletic trainer to make their way to the outfield. In the
Cubs prospect Mule needs Tommy John (source)
The Cubs will have to wait until mid-2024 to see the pro debut of their promising two-way player and ’22 Draft pick. Nazier Mule will undergo Tommy John surgery after he was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow on Tuesday, a source told MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis.