Ian Happ to the injured list; Moisés Ballesteros called up to the Cubs
Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. The team has called up prospect Moisés Ballesteros to take his place on the roster.
Happ, 30, was injured while batting on Friday in New York. Although he finished the game, he hasn’t played since then. After a training session on Monday, the team decided to slow down his recovery, expecting a minimum downtime.
He went through it, but he was a little cautious, essentially.
Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
Happ is batting .269 with an on-base percentage of .364 as the team’s leadoff hitter. Pete Crow-Armstrong has taken on those responsibilities in Happ’s absence.
Ballesteros, 21, bats .368 in Triple-A Iowa and becomes an intriguing player for Chicago. Although he is still developing as a catcher in the minor leagues, he will perform almost exclusively as a designated hitter while Happ recovers.
I think he has a gift for hitting. That is his true ability. You can’t help but notice.
Craig Counsell
Ballesteros, considered the Cubs’ second-best prospect, signed from Venezuela at 17 in 2021 and has an on-base percentage of .371 in five minor league seasons.
Ballesteros, who bats seventh against the Miami Marlins, expressed his excitement for this new experience.
Ballesteros’ minor league manager informed him of his call-up while playing MLB The Show. His parents, who were already visiting from Venezuela, will now be able to see him play in Chicago.
He has been the youngest player on his team throughout his career and has been one of the best hitters. That’s impressive.
Craig Counsell
To make room for Ballesteros on the 40-man roster, the team transferred pitcher Tyson Miller to the 60-day injured list. Miller was recovering from a hip injury but suffered a setback after being hit in the calf during a rehab outing.
That will delay it. He won’t be able to throw.
Craig Counsell
