Chicago Cubs Roster
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The Chicago Cubs optioned rookie outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to Triple-A Iowa on Monday to make room for the return of shortstop Dansby Swanson (knee) from the 10-day injured list. Crow-Armstrong will head back to the farm after slashing .236/.295/.364 with a homer, two doubles, one triple, nine RBI, five stolen bases and four runs scored in 23 games played in his second taste of big-league pitching following his 13-game debut in 2023. It makes sense for the Cubs to send the 22-year-old back to the minors so that he can continue his development and get everyday at-bats. Crow-Armstrong is a phenomenal defender in center field, and his speed should continue to play in fantasy whenever he makes his return to Chicago.
The Chicago Cubs activated shortstop Dansby Swanson (knee) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and optioned rookie outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. The team also optioned second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni to Iowa. The Cubs had the day off on Monday, but Swanson will return for Tuesday's series opener against the Atlanta Braves. Swanson will return to everyday duties at shortstop for the Cubs after missing some time with a knee injury. His fantasy managers will be hoping that he can pick it up at the plate now that he's healthy, as he was hitting just .209/.285/.341 with four home runs, 12 RBI, four stolen bases and 20 runs scored in 129 at-bats before landing on the injured list.
Chicago Cubs infielder Luis Vazquez has reportedly been called up from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday. The assumption is that infielder Nico Hoerner (hamstring) is headed to the injured list with Vazquez joining the roster. The 22-year-old was slashing .270/.369/.409 with three home runs and 11 RBI in Triple-A this season. The Cubs haven't announced who is going down to the minors as a corresponding roster move. The expectation is that Vazquez should get significant playing time until the Cubs middle infield gets healthy again.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This marks the sixth straight game that Hoerner has missed due to tightness in his hamstring. The 27-year-old is considered day-to-day, but it's a bit surprising Hoerner hasn't been placed on the injured list yet. In the meantime, Nick Madrigal will bat seventh and cover second base on Sunday.
A day after getting six no-hit innings from Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates got another solid outing from their rotation as Bailey Falter tossed 7 2/3 innings of shutout baseball in Saturday's 1-0 loss at the Chicago Cubs. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out two over 7 2/3 scoreless frames. The 27-year-old did not factor into the decision. Falter allowed just three hits in the longest outing of his career, matching zeroes with Cubs ace Shota Imanaga. "It was awesome," Falter said about matching up with Imanaga. Despite the no-decision, Falter, 2-2 on the season, lowered his ERA to 3.53, while his 0.98 WHIP makes him an intriguing option for fantasy managers who need help in that category. In his next start, the southpaw draws a tough matchup against the Braves and can be used as a deep-league streamer.