Guys, we’re getting a bit closer to the Chicago Cubs fully maximizing their active roster. Starting center fielder Cody Bellinger is back with the team after being on the paternity list during the San Diego Padres series, meaning the Cubs had to make a roster move heading into their weekend series against the Miami Marlins.
Fans have been pleading to have outfielder Nelson Veláquez stay in the big leagues and they’re getting their wish. Prior to Friday’s series opener against the Marlins, the Cubs made their first major cut of the season.
Right-handed hitting catcher Luis Torrens has been designated for assignment to make room for Bellinger’s return, meaning Velázquez will remain on the big league club.
Torrens was the big surprise addition to the team’s Opening Day roster and as much as I liked the idea, he just wasn’t being used as much in April and that’s a good thing because Yan Gomes has been so good through the first four weeks of the sesson.
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Even with a third catcher on the active roster, David Ross wasn’t using Torrens often in pinch-hit situations. The 26-year-old played in 13 games and all five of his starts came as the designated hitter. Torrens was 5-for-20, with three RBI and one run scored. He struck out eight times and only had one walk.
If the Cubs ever do need a catcher to come up later in the season, the first option would be Dom Nuñez, who is at Triple-A. He has some MLB experience with the Colorado Rockies. The team could also opt to bring up 24-year-old catching prospect Miguel Amaya, who has been on a tear at Double-A and could be heading to Triple-A Iowa very soon.
As for Velázquez, he’s made the most of his playing time this year. He started in center field in all three games against the Padres and he went 3-for-9, with a home run and two walks. That was after his monster game against the Seattle Mariners two weeks ago.
Velázquez is 6-for-13, with two home runs and five RBI with two doubles so far this season with the Cubs.
The 24-year-old outfielder was also crushing pitchers at Triple-A this year, slashing .327/.403/.618, with four home runs in 14 games. Velázquez is in Friday night’s starting lineup, batting ninth as the DH.
Cubs Starting Lineup vs. Marlins
2B – Nico Hoerner
SS – Dansby Swanson
LF – Ian Happ
RF – Seiya Suzuki
1B – Trey Mancini
CF – Cody Bellinger
3B – Patrick Wisdom
C – Yan Gomes
DH – Nelson Velázquez
Next Moves to Come
With Luis Torrens the first guy out, all eyes are now going to be on two left-handed hitters to get moved once the Cubs decide to call up a few of their other players from the minor leagues.
Edwin Ríos has only played in nine games this season and has a total of 16 at-bats. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal in the offseason and he does have a minor league option. Meanwhile, Eric Hosmer is batting .231 with a .655 OPS in 21 games.
Those two will be feeling the heat, as Christopher Morel and Matt Mervis continue to destroy Triple-A.
