Consider this your non-Nico Hoerner edition of the injury updates, since the Cubs have so many guys out …
Shelby Miller: his rehab assignment at Iowa is just about up (lower back), and he’s eligible to return any day now. It’s possible he’s back this series in Pittsburgh, if the Cubs want to swap out a relief arm and use Miller’s ability to throw multiple innings (assuming his control problems are in the past).
Trevor Megill: made his first rehab appearance at Iowa today (forearm), and the velocity was at least good and relatively normal:
First MLB rehab outing w/@IowaCubs for Trevor Megill is finished.
18 pitches, 10 balls, 8 strikes. Two walks and a flyout. Fastball sat 96-97 mph.
— Alex Cohen (@voiceofcohen) May 26, 2021
Jason Heyward: eligible to return in four days (hamstring), it’s hard to say whether Heyward is that close. He has been doing “agility work” this week and has taken some swings (Marquee). Generally, you expect any hamstring issue to keep a guy out at least a few weeks.
Jake Marisnick: eligible to return any time now, but he’s been out long enough that it’s likely to be preceded by a rehab stint when he’s ready. Like Heyward, he’s doing agility work to rehab the hamstring, and taking swings (Marquee).
Justin Steele: working on his lower body, which I think means … not throwing? Steele is also out with a hamstring injury, and isn’t eligible to return for another six days.
Alec Mills: is working through a back issue, and was rough in his first Triple-A Iowa rehab outing, so he’ll get some more.
Rowan Wick: rehabbing an intercostal injury (and subsequent setback, all of which followed the oblique strain last year), and his return is still very much TBD. “He’s working his way back, throwing again and is feeling really good,” David Ross said, per Marquee. If you get a half-season out of Wick at this point, you take it.
Matt Duffy: his bumps-and-bruises back issue turned out to be a strain that put him on the IL yesterday. No ETA on his return right now.