Cubs' Christopher Morel: Provides offense Saturday
Rotowire
Morel went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Pirates.
Morel's line drive to center in the bottom of the ninth inning brought in Cody Bellinger with the game-winning run. It was a nice effort for Morel, who's been productive this month despite batting just .220 in May. The production has come mostly in the power department, as the 24-year-old has five home runs this month across 17 games. Morel came into May with only four long balls over his first 29 contests.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Improves to 4-0
Rotowire
Neris (4-0) pitched a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts to earn the win Saturday against the Pirates.
Starter Shota Imanaga tossed seven scoreless innings, followed by scoreless innings from Mark Leiter and Neris in the 1-0 victory. Neris managed to leave with his fourth win, which already puts him just two behind his career high of six wins that he recorded each of the last two seasons. The veteran righty also has six saves in seven chances to go along with a strong 2.65 ERA, making him a valuable fantasy asset so far and the top reliever to target in Chicago's bullpen.
Imanaga came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Pirates, scattering four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
The 30-year-old lefty was locked in a pitchers' duel with Bailey Falter, which prevented either starter from getting a decision, but Imanaga still impressed. He generated 22 swinging strikes among his 88 pitches, and he now sports a 0.84 ERA -- the lowest mark in history through a pitcher's first nine career MLB starts. Imanaga will also take a 0.91 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB through 53.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in St. Louis.
The Cubs expect to reinstate Swanson (knee) from the injured list Tuesday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Swanson took live batting practice Friday for the first time since landing on the injured list May 10 with a right knee injury, and he appears to be trending toward a return shortly after the minimum 10 days. He will reclaim his role as Chicago's everyday shortstop once he returns, though the 30-year-old infielder had gone just 1-for-18 with a solo home run in his last six games prior to landing on the IL.
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Cubs' Michael Busch: Idle versus lefty
Rotowire
Busch isn't in the Cubs' lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.
With lefty Bailey Falter set to start on the mound for the Bucs, the left-handed bat of Busch will remain in Chicago's dugout. His absence will give Patrick Wisdom an opportunity to start at first while batting leadoff.
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Cubs' Miguel Amaya: Day off Saturday
Rotowire
Amaya isn't in the Cubs' lineup Saturday against Pittsburgh.
After belting a solo homer in Friday's loss, Amaya will sit down for the third game of Chicago's series with the Pirates. Yan Gomes will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.
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Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Out again Saturday
Rotowire
Hoerner (hamstring) isn't in the Cubs' lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.
Saturday marks the fifth game in a row that Hoerner has missed due to a sore left hamstring. The Cubs have been hopeful that the infielder would be able to avoid the injured list, but manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Hoerner may need to spend time on the IL if his hamstring continues to bother him. Nick Madrigal and Miles Mastrobuoni will once again serve as the Cubs' middle infielders Saturday.
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Cubs' Jordan Wicks: Nearing rehab assignment
Rotowire
Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Wicks (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment after throwing two more bullpen sessions, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
Wicks progressed to facing hitters for the first time Friday, and the Cubs will look to give him a few more reps off a mound before getting him back into game action. Counsell did not specify exactly when Wicks' assignment will begin, nor did he say how many starts the left-hander will need to make in the minors, but Wicks likely won't require more than one or two outings before rejoining the Cubs' rotation.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Will begin rehab in High-A
Rotowire
Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that he expects Smyly (hip) to begin a rehab assignment with High-A South Bend sometime next week, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
Counsell did not specify how many appearances Smyly will make in the minors, though the lefty figures to require multiple outings given he's been on the shelf since April 23 with a hip impingement. The 34-year-old put up a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 12.2 innings before getting hurt, and he will likely return to a multi-inning relief role once he rejoins Chicago.
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Cubs' Jeff Belge: Traded to Cubs
Rotowire
The Rays traded Belge to the Cubs on Saturday in exchange for Richard Lovelady.
Belge has spent all of 2024 at Double-A Montgomery while putting up a 4.20 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 15 innings out of the bullpen. The 26-year-old southpaw will presumably remain in Double-A as he moves into the Cubs' farm system.
Franklin underwent surgery on his right elbow Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Franklin was forced out of his Triple-A debut due to a forearm injury, and he will now miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery. His surgery was not a Tommy John procedure, so it is still possible that the 24-year-old righty will be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign.
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Cubs' Kyle Hendricks: Falls to Pittsburgh
Rotowire
Hendricks (0-4) took the loss Friday against the Pirates, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
Hendricks started the day well, allowing just one hit through two scoreless innings. However, Jared Triolo would snap a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the third before the Pirates tacked on three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. It's been a brutal start to the year for the veteran right-hander -- Hendricks has now allowed five or more runs in five of his first seven outings. His ERA is up to 10.57 with a 1.99 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB across 30.2 innings. Things won't get any easier for him in his next start -- he's currently set for a tough home matchup with Atlanta.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Hopes to throw next week
Rotowire
Almonte (shoulder) remains shut down but hopes to resume a throwing program next week, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.
Almonte landed on the 15-day injured list almost a week ago with a right shoulder strain and is currently limited to doing strengthening exercises. However, the Cubs hope he won't need a long absence. Almonte boasts a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 20 strikeouts in 15.2 innings this season.
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Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Still hoping to avoid injured list
Rotowire
Hoerner (hamstring) remains day-to-day and the Cubs are still hoping he can avoid the injured list, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.
Hoerner is missing a fourth straight start Friday after still feeling something in his left hamstring Thursday, per manager Craig Counsell. While the skipper expressed hope that an IL won't be needed, he conceded that a move would be on the table if the issue continues to linger. With Dansby Swanson (knee) also out, the Cubs have been going with Miles Mastrobuoni and Nick Madrigal as their middle infield duo.
Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Nearing throwing program
Rotowire
Merryweather (ribs/back) could start a throwing program Monday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
The right-hander has been shut down since he suffered a rib stress fracture in his back in early April but is now ready to begin a throwing program. Merryweather will be eligible to return from the 60-day IL in early June but will likely require more time before being reinstated.
