The Chicago Cubs are going to make a roster move prior to Friday’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and while the decision seems obvious, there is a chance the team will kick the can down the road and ultimately decide on the bench. Seiya Suzuki’s rehab assignment with the Knoxville Smokies has wrapped up this week, which means he’ll be activated from the injured list on Friday. So, will it be Scott Kingery or Dylan Carlson getting the boot from the 26-man roster?
A week ago, it seemed like Michael Conforto was on his way out, but he’s actually been producing at the plate, so he’s pretty much secured his spot on the bench with Suzuki returning. Meanwhile, Cubs manager Craig Counsell has not started Carlson in the outfield in 12 games, and the 27-year-old switch-hitter has had only four plate appearances in three games. As for Kingery, the 31-year-old infielder has only appeared in two games as a pinch-runner.
Suzuki should return to his starting role in right field, which would move Matt Shaw to the bench, where he would get his playing time against left-handed pitching from the designated-hitter spot and fill in around the infield as the backup at multiple positions. So it kind of seems like the Cubs won’t really need Kingery. However, if, for whatever reason, the Cubs want to wait on cutting Kingery loose, then they could make room by placing Ian Happ on the 10-day injured list.
Ian Happ Dealing with Injury
Ian Happ missed the team’s last two games against the Tampa Bay Rays as the left fielder has been dealing with a heel issue, according to Marquee Sports Network reporter Taylor McGregor. It’s a bruised left heel that sidelined Happ on Tuesday and Wednesday, but he was available off the bench in the series finale.
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It doesn’t seem like anything serious for Happ, but it’s worth keeping an eye on. If the heel is still causing him discomfort, then the Cubs could backdate his IL stint, which would mean Happ could return by the end of next week. Seeing Conforto step up in Tampa Bay, coupled with Shaw’s hot streak, may give the Cubs an excuse to not rush back Happ. Maybe the Cubs take the time to see how Shaw handles left field?
Again, this is still the unlikely route, as either Carlson or Kingery remains the two on the chopping block, but I wouldn’t put the possibility at zero either.
In 10 games this season, Happ leads the Cubs with four home runs and is second on the club with seven RBI. He also has the most strikeouts with 18. Overall, Happ is slashing .200/.289/.550, with a 134 wRC+ in the early going.
