In advance of tonight’s game with the Marlins, the Chicago Cubs made a couple roster moves in the outfield, re-calling Matt Szczur from Iowa and optioning outfielder/first baseman Mike Baxter back to Iowa to take his place.
Given how well Szczur has been performing at AAA lately, the move may have had merit of its own accord, but the timing probably also has something to do with Jorge Soler’s absence from the lineup tonight. Szczur supplements the Cubs’ bench well, but also provides quality defense all over the outfield if some reorganizing is required in the short-term.
Soler apparently injured his ankled trying to beat out a grounder in the fifth inning last night, but was able to stay in the game. Unfortunately the injury didn’t improve overnight, and he’s headed for an MRI (Tribune, Sun-Times, ESPN). The results will come back tomorrow, and the Cubs will then have to decide whether to make a move with Soler’s roster spot, which could plausibly go to Javier Baez (if the Cubs were willing to shuffle where guys are playing a bit) or Arismendy Alcantara (if the Cubs feel like he’s ready to return).
Fingers crossed for good news.