It looks like the Chicago Cubs are pretty close to placing starting shortstop Dansby Swanson on the injured list. Swanson was taken out during Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers after he suffered a contusion on his left heel. The shortstop missed the series finale in Milwaukee and didn't play on Friday night, when the Cubs beat the New York Yankees 3-0.
Before the Cubs started their weekend series in New York, Swanson made it known that he was skipping the All-Star Game in Seattle next Tuesday because of his heel injury. Not sure why the Cubs have waited this long to make a move, but there are indications that Swanson is headed to the injured list ahead of Saturday's afternoon game against the Yankees.
Unfortunately, it appears as though the Cubs are once again choosing the worst possible option to replace an injured player on their roster. Hitting wise at least. Get ready folks, no one's favorite Cub, Miles Mastrobuoni is likely coming back to the team this weekend in New York.
Mastrobuoni was originally in the starting lineup Friday night at Triple-A for the Iowa Cubs, but he was a late scratch just moments before the start of Iowa's game against the St. Paul Saints.
The Cubs acquired Mastrobuoni in a trade this past offseason with the Tampa Bay Rays and the left-handed hitting utility man was a surprise addition to Chicago's Opening Day 26-man roster.
Early on, Mastrobuoni was at least hitting some line drives that led some fans, myself included, to feel somewhat optimistic about his potential, but over time Mastrobuoni lost any good will he had among the fan base.
He's flat out stunk at the plate and I'm not kidding, Mastrobuoni is literally the worst option the Cubs could pick right now. Out of all the hitters to play for the Cubs this year, Mastrobuoni's 27 wRC+ is the worst in 2023. In 72 plate appearances, Mastrobuoni has slashed .145/.254/.177, going 9-for-62, with 2 doubles, 19 strikeouts and 9 walks.
I know it's tough with the 40-man roster and needing to make other cuts if you wanted to add a prospect instead and I mean with the All-Star break coming up it's not like Mastrobuoni will get in many games anyway, but really? Mastrobuoni again? Has he actually earned all these chances this year with the Cubs?
It's obviously a crappy situation because not only is Swanson hurt now, but the Cubs are already without another infielder in Nick Madrigal, who has a hamstring strain. I mean, Edwin Ríos wasn't exactly doing much in his limited time and unlike Mastrobuoni, he can't play the middle infield.
With Swanson out the past couple of games, the Cubs have started Nico Hoerner at shortstop, Christopher Morel at second base and Patrick Wisdom at third base.
There is one player who I think should be considered as your backup infielder at least for a week or so and that's 23-year-old Luis Vazquez. The shortstop started the year at Double-A and was recently promoted to Triple-A. On Friday night, the right-handed hitter went 2-for-3 with a walk for the Iowa Cubs.
In nine games at Triple-A, Vazquez is 11-for-29, slashing .379/.441/.655, with 2 home runs and 2 doubles. His glove is also MLB caliber.
Overall this season, Vazquez has 13 home runs and an .854 OPS in 67 games. But again, he's not on the 40-man roster, so the Cubs would have to boot someone off to add Vazquez.
Sigh. Mastrobuoni it is.
