The Cubs recalled Mastrobuoni from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.
Mastrobuoni made the Cubs' Opening Day roster and was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on April 18 after Patrick Wisdom returned from a stint on the 10-day injured list due to a back injury. Mastrobuoni has appeared in 10 games for Iowa, slashing .231/.318/.436 with 10 runs, five doubles, one home run and four RBI over 44 plate appearances. Matt Mervis was sent down to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Optioned to Iowa
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The Cubs optioned Mastrobuoni to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
He was able to crack the Opening Day roster with Patrick Wisdom on the injured list before the season began. Mastrobuoni appeared in just eight games and only reached base once on a walk across 13 plate appearances. In a corresponding move, Wisdom was activated from the 10-day injured list.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Cracks Opening Day roster
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The Cubs informed Mastrobuoni on Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Mastrobuoni's ability to win a spot on the Opening Day roster spot initially seemed to be tied to the health of Nick Madrigal (hamstring), but even though Madrigal looks poised to avoid a stint on the injured list to open the season, the Cubs will apparently have room for both players as utility options. Though he's capable of filling in at second base, third base, shortstop and both outfield spots and brings quality speed to the table, Mastrobuoni's status as a left-handed hitter means that he won't be a candidate for a platoon role. Instead, Mastrobuoni is likely to see most of his limited opportunities in the late innings as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Likely to make roster?
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Mastrobuoni seems likely to secure one of Chicago's final bench spots coming out of camp due to Nick Madrigal (hamstring) being possibly set to miss time, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Mastrobuoni may not be able to hold onto the role once Madrigal is fully healthy, but for now, the super utility job seems to be his. The 28-year-old can fill in at multiple positions, though he doesn't offer enough offensive upside to warrant serious fantasy attention in most leagues. That could change if a larger role opens up for Mastrobuoni, however.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Vying for final bench role
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Mastrobuoni seems likely to secure a utility role with the Cubs out of spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
The Cubs have a few options for bench spots, but Mastrobuoni likely has an inside track due to his left-handed bat and his defensive versatility. The 28-year-old had some nice moments toward the end of last year, though he finished with just a .609 OPS across 61 games and doesn't profile as a great fantasy asset in 2024.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Stays hot Tuesday
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Mastrobuoni went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to Atlanta.
Mastrobuoni had eight hits over four games before hitting the bench for Sunday's contest, though he did appear as a pinch hitter. He got the start Tuesday and picked up right where he left off, pushing his batting average to an even .500 for the month. With the Cubs scrapping for a playoff spot, they may need to keep Mastrobuoni in the lineup and ride his bat while it's hot.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Two more hits Saturday
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Mastrobuoni went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Saturday's win over the Rockies. He also stole a base.
Mastrobuoni has been playing well lately, as he's currently riding a four-game hitting streak and batting a robust .533 during the stretch. He still profiles as more of a bench option for the Cubs overall, though increased playing time has been available with Jeimer Candelario (back) and Nick Madrigal (hamstring) both on the injured list.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Big effort in loss
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Mastrobuoni went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Wednesday's 13-7 loss to the Pirates.
Mastrobuoni entered the contest with just three hits at the MLB level since July 21, so Wednesday's performance was certainly unexpected, particularly out of the No. 9 spot in the order. The 27-year-old is still just a bench option for the Cubs, though he's seen a slightly larger role recently with Jeimer Candelario (back) and Nick Madrigal (hamstring) both currently out.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Recalled from Iowa
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The Cubs recalled Mastrobuoni from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Despite his lackluster MLB stats this season, Mastrobuoni appears to have rediscovered his swing over the last several weeks. He appeared in 13 games during his last major-league stint in July and slashed .324/.375/.432 with three RBI and 10 runs scored. Once he was optioned to Triple-A, his hot hitting continued with a .959 OPS since Aug. 1. Mastrobuoni will likely serve in a bench role with the Cubs, but the team could look for ways to get his hot bat in the game. Tucker Barnhart was DFA'd in a corresponding move.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Sent to Triple-A
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Mastrobuoni was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Nick Madrigal was activated from the 10-day injured list, so Mastrobuoni's playing time was about to evaporate anyway. He hit .300 with one home run and five steals over his last 40 at-bats.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Sitting versus lefty
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Mastrobuoni isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday against the Cardinals.
With southpaw Jordan Montgomery set to start on the mound Friday for St. Louis, the lefty-hitting Mastrobuoni will take a seat to begin the game. Patrick Wisdom will get the nod at the hot corner instead and bat eighth.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Settling in at third base
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Mastrobuoni will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox.
Mastrobuoni looked at risk of losing out on playing time when Dansby Swanson returned from the 10-day injured list Saturday, but it's instead been Trey Mancini who has moved into a bench role. With Christopher Morel making his last three starts as the Cubs' designated hitter, Mastrobuoni has been able to settle as the team's primary third baseman. He should continue to make regular starts against right-handed pitching, though Mastrobuoni could give way to Morel or Patrick Wisdom at third base when the Cubs oppose southpaws.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Moves into reserve role
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Mastrobuoni is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Though he's on the bench Sunday versus a southpaw (Jordan Montgomery), Mastrobuoni's opportunities to play against right-handed pitching may become more scarce now that Dansby Swanson is back from the injured list. With Swanson back in the fold, Christopher Morel is unlikely to see much time in the middle infield moving forward and could end up settling into an everyday role at third base, where Mastrobuoni had been occupying the strong side of a platoon with Patrick Wisdom.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Hits first career home run
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Mastrobuoni went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's victory over the Cardinals.
Mastrobuoni got the Cubs on the board in the third inning with his first career home run. It's been a struggle offensively for the versatile defender in his first season with Chicago, but he's beginning to pick up the pace and has recorded three straight multi-hit games. With Patrick Wisdom scuffling defensively and Nick Madrigal (hamstring) on the injured list, Mastrobuoni should continue to draw regular starts at third base, especially against right-handed starters.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Sitting against southpaw
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Mastrobuoni is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals.
While he'll head to the bench with southpaw Steven Matz on the hill for St. Louis, the lefty-hitting Mastrobuoni looks to have emerged as a strong-side platoon player at third base for the Cubs. Mastrobuoni has occupied the hot corner in each of the Cubs' last three matchups with right-handed pitchers, while Patrick Wisdom has now started in all of the Cubs' matchups with lefties since he returned from the injured list earlier this month. However, the Mastrobuoni-Wisdom platoon could come to an end as soon as this weekend, when Dansby Swanson (heel) likely comes off the injured list. Swanson's return is expected to push Christopher Morel out of the middle infield and into a regular role at third base.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Tallies three hits in big win
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Mastrobuoni went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 17-3 win over the Nationals.
The Cubs cranked out 20 hits and Mastrobuoni had three of them, which was his first three-hit game of the season. It was just his second multi-hit effort, as he came into the contest batting only .155. The 27-year-old managed to raise that figure by 29 points, but he shouldn't be expected to have too many more stat lines like this the rest of the way.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Nabs steal
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Mastrobuoni went 0-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 11-5 loss to the Red Sox.
Mastrobuoni has been in the lineup in two of three games since the All-Star break, but he's gone hitless over six at-bats. He's faced right-handed pitchers both times, suggesting he could be carving out a platoon role at third base that could eat into Patrick Wisdom's playing time. Mastrobuoni will need to do a bit more with the bat to maintain his newfound role -- he's slashing just .155/.268/.197 with seven steals, one RBI, seven runs scored and three doubles over 84 plate appearances this season.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
Mastrobuoni was recalled by the Cubs on Saturday.
Mastrobuoni has been on and off the Cubs' roster this season but has generally not made much of an impact, slashing .145/.254/.177 in 30 games. He'll take the roster spot which had belonged to Dansby Swanson, who landed on the injured list with a bruised left heel.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Optioned to Triple-A
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The Cubs optioned Mastrobuoni to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
With the selection of Jared Young from Triple-A on Tuesday, Mastrobuoni will head back to the minors to make room for the promising prospect. Mastrobuoni holds an impressive .949 OPS in Iowa this season, but has yet to put it together in Chicago, where that figure sits at just .431.
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Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Starting Saturday
Rotowire
Mastrobuoni is starting at third base and batting ninth in Saturday's game against the Orioles.
Patrick Wisdom (wrist) hit the injured list Saturday, which should open up some time at the hot corner. Nick Madrigal will likely get some run there as well, though he's on the bench for Saturday's contest. Mastrobuoni has just a .440 OPS across 59 MLB at-bats this season, making him a fairly unappealing fantasy option at this point.
