After a long road trip and a well-needed off day, the Chicago Cubs were busy shifting their roster around before a three-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates. According to reports, the Cubs have placed LHP Brandon Hughes on the 15-day IL, recalled infielder Miles Mastrobuoni from Triple-A Iowa, and more on Tuesday.
Hughes has dealt with knee issues dating back to Spring Training. Losing the lone lefty in the pen again is not what the Cubs wanted to see. That said, LHP Anthony Kay joins the roster and the team sent RHP Jeremiah Estrada down as a result. Kay has pitched 28.0 innings in 23 appearances with 32 strikeouts and 15 walks at Triple-A Iowa. RHP Nick Burdi was also transferred to the 60-day IL.
Recalling Mastrobuoni gives the team additional depth on the bench in wake of the roster moves. The infielder was recently demoted in favor of Nick Madrigal, but returns as a part of the constant moving parts that make up a MLB roster.
Among some other notes from Elise Menaker, Cody Bellinger is beginning his rehab assignment on Tuesday in Iowa. David Ross shared the information on 670 The Score and others confirmed the report later.
Edwin Rios and Justin Steele are both battling back from injuries. Rios was placed on the IL with a left groin strain and Steele was dealing with inflammation in his forearm. Both players are progressing toward a return at some point with baseball activities and a bullpen session in the cards, respectively.
The Cubs host the Pirates on Tuesday to open a three-game series. Jameson Taillon takes the bump at Wrigley Field against his draft team.
More must-reads: