According to the Chicago Cubs’ transactions page, outfielder Matt Szczur has been optioned to AAA Iowa.
There is no corresponding move listed, but considering that Chris Denorfia – a fellow right-handed outfielder – has been on a rehab assignment at AA Tennessee (hamstring) and is not playing there tonight, I think it’s a pretty fair guess that Denorfia will be joining the Cubs tomorrow in Washington to take Szczur’s spot.
While there remains a lot to like about Szczur, there’s little question that Denorfia is the better player for the Cubs’ bench right now. That’s what the Cubs signed him to be, and, thanks to a couple hamstring injuries, they haven’t had a chance to get much for their investment. Hopefully – assuming Denorfia is the corresponding move – he’s back for good now, solidifying a bench that’s been ravaged by injuries.
As we discussed this morning, eventually, the name coming to the Cubs will be Javier Baez, but I don’t think it will be this time around. Baez, by the way, is starting his fourth straight game at third base for AAA Iowa tonight.