Cubs Place Another Starter On Injured List

With Wade Miley already on the injured list with a shoulder strain, the Chicago Cubs have now lost another starter to the IL, placing Drew Smyly on the 15-day list with a right oblique strain.

He was pulled from his last start on Monday with the oblique injury after tossing three hitless innings. Thus far this season, Smyly owns a 3.80 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in nine starts. The Cubs signed Smyly to a one-year, $5.25M contract this season, his 5th team in the last five years. 

To fill out the pitching staff, the Cubs have reinstated Michael Rucker off the IL, while also activating OF Jason Heyward from the Covid IL. Nelson Velazquez gets sent down to Triple-A.

#Cubs roster moves:
-Drew Smyly placed on 15-day IL (right oblique strain, retro to 5/31)
-Manuel Rodríguez recalled and placed on 60-day IL (right elbow strain)
-Jason Heyward reinstated from IL
-Nelson Velázquez optioned to @IowaCubs
-Michael Rucker reinstated from 15-day IL pic.twitter.com/rlkgVM0k2e

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 1, 2022

Matt Swarmer will stay in the Cubs rotation for now, while the return of Heyward apparently comes at the cost of at-bats for some of the Cubs' young outfielders. Tonight it's Clint Frazier who takes a seat as Heyward makes his way into the lineup. 

Photo Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports