Jesse Rogers just reported on ESPN Radio that when Ian Happ is officially called up today, the corresponding move will be reliever Tim Collins heading out. (UPDATE: The Cubs are also adding Derek Holland in trade.)
Rogers said Collins will head to Iowa, but it’ll be interesting to see if he actually goes again. Recall, although he’s got minor league options left, he has enough big league service time to refuse the option. This time of year, if he were a free agent, it’s possible he latches on with another organization that could give him more time.
With Collins out, the Cubs will have just one left in the bullpen for the time being, Kyle Ryan. Christian Yelich has been very good against lefties this year (140 wRC+), but has been *dramatically* better against righties (202), so you can expect to see Ryan matching up this weekend, even if that isn’t his typical role.
Longer term, with Collins out – maybe for good – the Cubs’ efforts to pick up a lefty reliever (who is effective against lefties) or at least a righty who is particularly good at neutralizing lefties will continue. They know what they need, and odds are good they’ll get it by Wednesday.