The Chicago Cubs can’t seem to escape the injury bug.
For the sixth time in the last week, the Cubs had to make roster moves because of injuries.
Utility player Matt Shaw landed on the 10-day injured list with a left-hand sprain while right-hander Ethan Roberts was put on the 15-day IL because of right forearm inflammation. Right-hander Gavin Hollowell and outfielder Kevin Alcántara were recalled from Triple-A Iowa.
Shaw hurt his hand during an at-bat in the seventh inning on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Although he initially stayed in, he was lifted for pinch-hitter Justin Dean when his next at-bat came up in the ninth. Shaw is dealing with inflammation in his hand, which must dissipate before he can progress. But manager Craig Counsell believes there is a chance Shaw could start swinging a bat by the weekend, creating a potential scenario that makes this a minimum IL stint.
“We’re pretty optimistic here,” Counsell said. “We ruled out everything else that could have been longer term, in terms of worrisome. … As soon as we get the inflammation out, we think we can move forward pretty quickly.”
Michael Conforto started in right field for Monday’s series opener versus San Diego with the Padres’ right-hander Griffin Canning on the mound. Expect to see Conforto get more regular at-bats against right-handers while Shaw is out. Counsell explained the Cubs are going to have to figure out how they want to move players around when the opposing team starts a lefty.
Since Counsell decided after the Cubs’ West Coast trip in mid-June that he wanted to make a more concerted effort to get Shaw in the lineup, regardless of whether a right-hander started, the utility player delivered. Shaw was 9-for-43 (.273 average) with a .415 on-base percentage and .899 OPS in his last 12 games.
“Matt was doing a good job,” Counsell said. “It now falls on somebody else to pick up the slack.”
With all the injuries the Cubs’ pitching staff has endured lately, Roberts has been relied on more frequently. He had pitched three of the last four days with disappointing results (five runs, four earned runs, three walks and no strikeouts in two innings). The Cubs don’t believe Roberts is dealing with a serious injury and the break should help him recover, though he is currently symptomatic.
Right-hander Jameson Taillon (hamstring strain) will throw live batting practice Tuesday in the next step of his progression, which has him trending toward a return around the All-Star break.
Closer Daniel Palencia (flexor strain) started throwing Monday after being shut down since June 16.
