Some planning ahead for the week, as the Cubs’ positional roster group might get a significant overhaul.
Not only will big righty bat Jose Martinez join the group, but you could also soon see the return of Kris Bryant and Steven Souza, Jr.:
Kris Bryant and Steven Souza Jr. are scheduled to hit off the machine today, head to South Bend tomorrow for some live at-bats, per David Ross.
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) August 30, 2020
That’ll be the second time each has taken live at bats in a game-like environment at South Bend, so it’s not inconceivable that each could return at some point mid-week.
If they do come back quickly, it’s not hard to imagine Bryant taking little-used Hernan Perez’s spot on the roster, and then maybe Souza takes the spot of Tyler Chatwood if he hits the IL (Martinez will take Josh Phegley’s vacated spot). The Cubs were going with 15 pitchers this weekend, so swapping out a pitcher for a returning bat is not a big deal.
With Bryant, Souza, and Martinez suddenly added to the fold, the Cubs’ theoretical ability against lefties would improve dramatically. And, of course, when it comes to Bryant, if he’s healthy and right, then he’s just a huge boost to the lineup overall.