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Cubs: Ian Happ to be Activated, Moises Ballesteros Returning to Iowa

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ron Luce | Last updated May 20, 2025 1:09 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are looking to bounce back from a disheartening loss to the Miami Marlins on Monday. The pesky fish will look to take a series from the Cubs, but it will be more difficult, as the Cubs are getting a notable reinforcement back in the lineup.

According to Cubs Insider Bruce Levine, the Chicago Cubs are activating Ian Happ on Tuesday, with Moises Ballesteros returning to Triple-A Iowa as a result. Happ is expected to insert himself right back into left field and Seiya Suzuki will return to his designated hitting duties.

Jed Hoyer said @mullyhaugh that Ian Happ will be activated today and Moises Ballesteros will return to Iowa. Listen @670TheScore for your best Chicago baseball coverage.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) May 20, 2025

Happ will return from the 10-day IL after recovering from an oblique injury. In Happ's absence, Moises Ballesteros earned some MLB time, picking up his first career hit in the process. However, Ballesteros went just 3-for-16 with the Cubs. Two of those hits came in Monday's loss, but he will go back to Iowa and continue working on his craft.

Happ's return to the lineup should spark the group further. Porter Hodge will hit the IL with an oblique injury of his own, meaning offense will be even more important with a shorthanded pitching staff.

Happ is slashing .269/.364/.381 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 39 games. Happ has largely been the Cubs' lead-off hitter this season, getting on base and sparking the offense for big bats such as Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, and Dansby Swanson lower in the lineup.

The Cubs and Marlins will square off at 5:40 p.m. CT on Tuesday in Miami, FL. Jameson Taillon and Ryan Weathers will take the mound for their respective sides.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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