The Chicago Cubs enter the final month of the regular season with a 3.5 game lead in the division and today they announced some moves as rosters have expanded.
Obviously the biggest news is that the long awaited return of Kris Bryant. He is back in the lineup, batting fifth against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.
Bryant last played on July 23, and has spent two stints on the disabled list with his shoulder injury. The 2016 MVP has only played in 76 games this season, with 28 remaining. Anyway, a huge boost for the Cubs. Addison Russell is also returning from the DL, but he won't be back in a starting role, at least not right away. Russell has been dealing with a knuckle injury and Joe Maddon said the shortstop will be used primarily as a defensive replacement.
After a solid start to the year, Russell has been struggling at the plate and his power has completely been sapped. Russell has not hit a home run since June. Obviously the emergence of Javier Baez as an MVP candidate and David Bote coming out of nowhere, coupled with the acquisition of Daniel Murphy all factor into Russell having a lessor role right now. So, Bryant and Russell are the two biggest names, but there are still a few more moves that were made. Going back to Friday, Jason Heyward was placed on the DL with a hamstring injury and Dillon Maples was called up.
Maples has been a fascinating prospect to follow and he's briefly been up before. Back in 2017, the righty pitched in six games and struck out 11 batters. Yet, he also walked six batters in 5.1 innings and gave up six earned runs. He's appeared in three games for the Cubs this season, striking out six, but again walking three in 3.1 innings. Overall in the minors this year, Maples has 75 strikeouts in 38.2 innings. If he can get any constant control he could be a weapon for the Cubs in the future. Other moves made today were the additions of outfielder Terrance Gore, catcher Taylor Davis and righty James Norwood to the big league roster.
You'll see plenty of Gore when the Cubs need a pinch runner during the next 28 games. Although he doesn't have a hit in MLB yet, he's stolen 21 bases in 49 career games and 293 during his minor-league career.
In order to make room, two pitchers were DFA'd, Luke Farrell and Rob Zastryzny.
Recently acquired veteran catcher, Bobby Wilson, is also with the team, but he won't be available until Tuesday, when his DL stint ends.
The Cubs also signed Jaime Garcia. He'll be in Iowa.
So, those are the moves that have been made now and the Cubs are still optimistic about having Brandon Morrow back in a couple weeks and there's also a chance that Drew Smyly joins the team later in September too. Smyly is with South Bend on a rehab assignment, as he's coming back from Tommy John surgery.
