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Aug. 2: RHP Marcus Stroman placed on injured list with right hip inflammation; Jose Cuas added to roster
Stroman was contending for an NL Cy Young Award until hitting a roadblock in late June. In his past seven starts, Stroman has a 9.00 ERA and has allowed 42 hits in 30 innings, a stark difference from his first 16 starts of the season, when he recorded a 2.28 ERA.
Cuas came over to the Cubs in a trade with the Royals, where he was 7-2 with one save, 15 holds and a 4.08 ERA (36 ER/79.1 IP) in 92 games.
Aug. 1: INF Jeimer Candelario added to active roster; 1B Trey Mancini designated for assignment
Acquired via a trade with the Nats on Monday, Candelario was in the starting lineup vs. the Reds on Tuesday night, playing first base and hitting sixth. Mancini, who signed a two-year deal with the Cubs over the offseason, never found his groove at the plate, hitting .234 with four homers and 28 RBIs, good for a 72 OPS+.
Aug. 1: RHP Josh Roberson acquired from Rays in exchange for RHP Manuel Rodríguez, RHP Adrian Sampson and international bonus pool space
Roberson, 27, joins the Cubs after spending this season entirely at Triple-A Durham, where he has logged a 4.50 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 22 walks in 31 games (36 innings). In his most recent outing, Roberson averaged 96.9 mph on his four-seamer and was up to 98 mph, while also featuring a slider that averaged 90.2 mph with an average spin rate of 2,596 RPM. The righty has been better against lefties (.666 OPS) than righties (.780 OPS) this year and has spun a 0.69 ERA across his 10 most recent appearances.
Rodríguez, a hard-throwing righty reliever, and Sampson had stints with the Cubs in each of the past two seasons, but they battled injuries at various points. Sampson was a contender for the fifth rotation spot this past spring following a strong showing for Chicago in 2022, but a tough spring followed by health setbacks hindered his season.
July 31: 3B Jeimer Candelario and cash acquired from Nationals in exchange for Minor League LHP DJ Herz and Minor League SS Kevin Made
In need of an offensive upgrade for the corner infield spots, the Cubs landed the 29-year-old Candelario for a pair of Top 30-ranked prospects. In 99 games this season for the Nationals, the switch-hitting Candelario hit .258 with 16 homers, 30 doubles, 53 RBIs and an .823 OPS. He led National League third basemen in wins above replacement (3.1 per FanGraphs), doubles (30) and extra-base hits (48). More>>
July 31: RHP Jose Cuas acquired from Royals for Minor League outfielder Nelson Velázquez
The Cubs were hoping to add bullpen depth at the Deadline and found a piece of the puzzle in Cuas. The 29-year-old righty has posted a 4.54 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 21 walks in 41 2/3 innings this season for Kansas City. Cuas has Minor League options remaining, so it is not immediately known if he will join the MLB bullpen right away.
RHP Brad Boxberger (right forearm strain)
Expected return: TBD
Per the Cubs, Boxberger has completed a couple of recent bullpen sessions (July 25 and July 28) with no issues. He has another one lined up for Aug. 1. The righty had previously been shut down from throwing after still experiencing inflammation in his arm. Between May 28 and June 12, Boxberger had worked through a throwing program, building up to facing hitters in live BP before slowing things down again.
Boxberger landed on the 15-day IL on May 15 (retroactive to May 14), but he was transferred to the 60-day on July 4. Manager David Ross noted that a groin issue earlier this season led to some delivery flaws, which may have contributed to the arm discomfort and a drop in velocity. In 17 games this year, Boxberger has a 5.52 ERA in 14 2/3 innings. (Last updated: July 31)
RHP Nick Burdi (appendectomy)
Expected return: TBD
The 30-year-old Burdi underwent an appendectomy on May 24 and was placed on the injured list (retroactive to May 21), then moved to the 60-day IL on June 13. Burdi made three appearances for Chicago prior to the setback. Per the Cubs, Burdi has completed a few recent bullpen sessions in his throwing program ramp-up. He has a live BP workout slated for Aug. 1. (Last updated: July 31)
RHP Ethan Roberts (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Late 2023 or ’24
Roberts was scheduled to resume throwing bullpen sessions on Aug. 1, following a “de-load” period in his throwing program (lower intensity/volume in workload). The righty returned to mound workouts in late May. Roberts underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last July 13. He appeared in nine games for the Cubs early in 2022 before arm issues derailed his campaign. (Last updated: July 31)
LHP Brandon Hughes (left knee inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Hughes has started playing catch in Arizona. The lefty underwent a surgical debridement of his left knee on June 28 and then headed to Arizona to begin his rehab process. A distal femoral osteotomy was the original recommendation, but an in-person review by the same specialist determined that the debridement was the better course of action. There is no firm timetable for Hughes’ return.
Hughes has had multiple stints on the injured list this year, posting a 7.24 ERA in 17 games while active for the Cubs. He had a 3.12 ERA in 57 games in 2022 for the North Siders. The Cubs transferred Hughes to the 60-day injured list on June 27. (Last updated: July 23)
RHP Codi Heuer (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Heuer faced another setback in his rehab with Triple-A Iowa on June 20. After firing a 1-0 offering over the head of the opposing Memphis batter, Heuer hopped around the mound in pain while favoring his pitching arm.
Jed Hoyer, the Cubs president of baseball operations, noted on June 24 in London that Heuer underwent surgery on June 23 to repair a fractured right elbow. Heuer will miss the remainder of the season and there is no timetable for his return.
Heuer, 26, was pitching for Triple-A Iowa as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery (full reconstruction with an internal brace) and was nearing a potential return to the Cubs’ bullpen. The silver lining within the latest setback for the hard-throwing righty is that all indications are that his surgically repaired ulnar collateral ligament is intact. (Last updated: June 24)
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