The news broke while the Chicago Cubs were playing their series finale against the Washington Nationals on Thursday and the team made it official on Friday. Left-handed hitting prospect Matt Mervis has been promoted to the majors and he will be making his MLB debut at Wrigley Field against the Miami Marlins.

Mervis, 25, is in Friday's starting lineup as well as rookie catcher Miguel Amaya, who played in his first game in the big leagues on Thursday. Mervis is batting seventh and will be starting at first base. Amaya is playing his second game in a row, filling in for Yan Gomes, who is on the concussion injured list.

To make room on the team's active 26 man roster, the Cubs optioned left-handed hitter Edwin Ríos to Triple-A.

Ríos, 29, was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason.

However you feel about Eric Hosmer, and yeah I'm not a fan, it was becoming painfully obvious that Ríos simply was a waste on this roster through the first month of the season. He only started seven games as the designated hitter and had a total of 20 at-bats. Ríos goes back to the minors after going 2-for-20, with a home run, double, two runs batted in, nine strikeouts and five walks.

Now with Mervis up, you would think that Hosmer will be used how Ríos was.

The 33-year-old veteran has slashed .250/.294/.363, with two home runs 13 runs batted in, three doubles, 21 strikeouts and five walks. Hosmer has started 23 of the team's 31 games to begin the season, including 15 at first base and eight starts as the designated hitter. His 79 wRC+ is the lowest among Cubs players so far this season with at least 70 plate appearances.

Matt Mervis at Triple-A

Matt Mervis played in 24 games with the Iowa Cubs before his promotion to the majors. The left-handed hitter slashed .286/.402/.560, with six home runs, 27 runs batted in and 27 runs scored. However, what has been by far the most impressive part of his game is the plate discipline. In 112 plate appearances, Mervis struck out 19 times and walked 18 times.

Mervis was bumped to Triple-A last summer and ever since, he's maintained a great approach at the plate, while not sacrificing power.

And since the start of 2022, Mervis has been the best slugger in minor league baseball.

Friday's game against the Marlins will be a great first test for Mervis, as right-handed starting pitcher Edward Cabrera has been much better against left-handed hitters.

The Cubs saw Cabrera last Saturday in Miami, where the righty struck out 12 in five innings.

But this is why you called up Mervis. He's a guy you're going to trust no matter the situation and no matter the matchup.

Mervis only had 26 plate appearances against lefties at Triple-A this season, but in the small sample size he went 6-for-20, with two home runs, two doubles, six walks and six strikeouts.

As for Amaya being in the lineup, you absolutely love to see it. He hit the ball hard in all three of his at-bats on Thursday, averaging more than 100mph on his exit velocity. It's good to have someone who is at least a threat to get a hit instead of having Tucker Barnhart up at the plate.