Some Cubs roster-related updates in advance of tonight’s possibly-rain-impacted game in Philadelphia.
Cubs are waiting to see if game is rained out before making Heyward DL move. If they don't play, rosters expand tomorrow and Cubs can sit him w/out 10-day mandate.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) August 31, 2018
#Cubs Maddon says they will activate Bryant and Russell on Saturday and expects KB to start Saturday
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 31, 2018
So the long and the short of it there is that the Cubs will have someone else ready to be put on the roster for Heyward if he needs a DL stint, but otherwise, no DL move will happen because of the expanded rosters starting tomorrow.
Also tomorrow, we’ll see the returns of Kris Bryant and Addison Russell. Bryant was expected back (hooray!), but Russell’s return is probably sooner than he might otherwise return if not for the expanded roster. That is to say, he’ll be back and available, but not fully available:
Russell will likely be used as defensive replacement late in games. #Cubs https://t.co/4TAfZl1uGj
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 31, 2018
UPDATE: Jason Heyward will indeed hit the disabled list:
The #Cubs today placed OF Jason Heyward on the 10-day DL with right hamstring tightness and recalled RHP Dillon Maples from @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/kWsf7efHxp
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 31, 2018
Hopefully that’s not a bad sign with respect to today’s results on his hamstring (though note that the announcement still says “tightness” rather than “strain”). I’m sure we’ll get an update on his condition and expected return by tomorrow.
In the meantime, Dillon Maples, who was going to be up in September anyway, gets an early return date. Here’s hoping he shows just a little control – a LITTLE – in which case he can be dominant.