The Cubs have placed outfielder Dexter Fowler on the 15-day DL with a hamstring strain, the club announced. His roster spot will go to reliever Carl Edwards.
Fowler has been nothing short of spectacular upon his return to Chicago, which came about in dramatic circumstances after most of the free agent market had been determined. Over 284 plate appearances, the 30-year-old owns a .290/.398/.483 slash line with seven home runs and six stolen bases. He has also drawn positive marks for his defense for the first time in several years.
There’s no question that Fowler has been a key cog, and his loss is especially tough with Kyle Schwarber out for the year and Jorge Soler also sidelined. Chicago has already brought up top prospect Albert Almora to help shoulder the load; he could see increased playing time now.
[Related: Updated Cubs Depth Chart]
Whether there’s cause for concern really depends on the prognosis. Timelines for returning from hamstring injuries are notoriously hard to predict, but the Cubs will no doubt let Fowler rest until it seems he’s ready to go without risk of aggravating things.
Pic isn’t Fowler
For the record … I apparently somehow typed Heyward’s name into our image database by mistake, then chose the first image without paying close attention. Careless oversight on my part.
Everyone else’s comments are fine but mine isn’t? I don’t understand? That’s Fowler, it isn’t Heyward, what’s wrong with that comment?
Has the picture been changed in the last 40 minutes? I’m pretty sure that’s Fowler because Heyward throws lefty.
Yes, it was changed.
Thanks Jeff! I’ll bet his career earnings you are a Cub fan too! You’re right, I shouldn’t be a part of this discussion because I’m a STL fan! That has to be the only reason, I wasn’t saying anything bad at all. I was actually defending your article. That’s cool though. Should have made an anonymous user name since apparently you have to be a certain fan to comment on an article.
You are a first-time commenter, so all of your comments were caught in moderation. I wasn’t personally keeping them out of here or anything.
Oh I suppose all us outfielders just look the same to you huh? You know what you are Jeff Todd? You’re an “anti outfield-ite”. I think we need to do an audit and see how many stories you write about outfielders vs infielders to prove that you’re a positional bigot.
Outfielders are people too. Just because we stand so far away from the pitcher doesn’t make us any less important. In fact some games have even been won by outfielders. 
That was awesome.
Ha. It’s true, as a catcher I am somewhat partial to the battery over those “other” players.
^This is true…
Yes it is
I think that pic is Heywatd. Lol. I would have rather seen the Cubs call up Murton instead of Edwards. Murton is hitting like .325 with Iowa, and the Cubs I’m pretty sure have room to add him to the 40 man.
That is definitely Fowler “bigcubsfan”
Earlier it was Heyward, but they corrected it later. Look at the comment above.
The cubs should trade outfielders, yes
No need for Murton. Almora, Coglan, Baez, Zobrist, And Bryant can all play outfield if need be. Then ya have Matt on the bench. Need to give Edwards a look to maybe see if Grimm can get back on track. Good move
Yeah. The Cubs don’t have much use for Murton, but when I said I want him called up, I was thinking about the Cubs soon afterwards trading him to a team that needs outfield depth.
If a team hasn’t traded from him yet, I doubt a small sample in the majors would do much to convince a team to pull the trigger then. Whether that has to do with the Cubs just trying to hold onto depth (and not actively looking to trade him) or teams not wanting him/not willing to meet the price the Cubs are asking, again a deal probably wouldn’t happen.
Murton is just happy to be playing in the states after no team wanted him the last few years. He’s slow, never was a great fielder, not a big threat with the bat. Rather see them call up McKinney if they need a outfielder that badly
Not going to lie, these injuries are piling up. Luckily, they mild to moderate injuries. The Cubs have the young bucks coming up to inject some life. I’ve been really impressed in the small sample size of Contreras and Almora so far. Tons of things can happen between now and the deadline.
The top needs for the Cubs are:
Get healthy, LHRP, another Bullpen arm, and that’s about it. Everyone needs more pitching. The Cubs could eye a rotation upgrade if hammel or Hendricks falls off the wagon. Doubt it happens, but that could vault up the rankings. They won’t be interested in dealing their MLB-ready/depth guys like Almora, Contreras and Baez. (Minus Soler, I don’t know if he has much of a spot on this team as soon as next season but he could get moved over winter if they don’t like the return.) As far as prospects go Torres, Happ, Pitchers, (or mid level prospects Candelario, Edwards, Jimenez, etc ) will be on table and I bet 1 top guy, 1 mid guy, and 1 pitching prospect (cease, underwood, Hudson, get moved for bullpen help. Throw-in guys that could be moved are Vogelbach, Pierce Johnson, Zangunies, That should get a quality bullpen arm and another need. This should be a great season. The rumor mill is heating up!!
Fowler = “spectacular”? I see we have different idea of what that word means. Fowler, IMO, has had a very nice season but I prefer to save the word “spectacular” for guys like like Arrietta, Kershaw, Trout or Harper. Cub fans better hope Heyward picks things up during Fowler’s time on the DL. Heyward is having another poor first half of the season
.