The Cubs have placed infielder/outfielder Nico Hoerner on the 10-day injured list, designated right-hander Shelby Miller for assignment and selected the contract of outfielder Rafael Ortega, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago was among those to report.
Hoerner suffered a left hamstring strain earlier this week, forcing the team to place him on the shelf for the second time this month. He missed time earlier with a left forearm strain, but a healthy version of Hoerner has been a standout this season. Even though the 24-year-old hasn’t homered in 84 plate appearances, he has made up for it with a .338/.405/.432 line and a paltry strikeout percentage of 14.3. Hoerner has also seen some time and both middle infield positions and all three outfield spots, though he has primarily lined up at the keystone. The Cubs figure to use a combination of Eric Sogard and David Bote at second while Hoerner’s out.
Miller, 30, is a former star hurler whose career fell off course in 2016 after a trade to Arizona, and he hasn’t been able to get back on track since then. Injuries have been part of the problem along the way, and Miller was on the IL with a back problem before the Cubs designated him. They signed Miller to a minor league contract last winter but have only gotten two disastrous innings of seven-run, seven-hit, five-walk ball from him.
Ortega, also 30, has past MLB experience with a handful of teams, though he has slumped to a .229/.287/.290 line in 447 plate appearances at the game’s top level. He has, however, hit a much more effective .294/.368/.447 with 39 home runs and 86 stolen bases across 2,232 trips to the plate in Triple-A.
Nico is fun to watch, hopefully it’s just a short stay.
Should have seen him when he was 10 years old. Dude would hit a homer and cry because it didn’t go far enough lol dude was a competitor.
Imagine if the Cubs didn’t live off of minor league deals and waiver claims.
Well maybe if fans came out and supported the team they could do better
But…oh nevermind.
Really rooting for Shelby to get it all together again, but time is not on his side. He was a super nice guy in the minors and I really want to see him do well.
Cards should sign him for depth.
Lol meanwhile the rays have 4 players in the minors that the cubs would start over dee gordon. Cubs should sell + try to bring back bryant in offseason.
Bryant only one worth bringing back. Best player on the team. But if Cub are going to dump everyone they can for prospects, then why bring him back? Cub fans bought into the first rebuild and they will blindly follow the next one too. As if they have a choice.
Dogbone? What say you?
Didn’t Cubs win a World Series after first rebuild? Tied for first today, rambling Sox troll.
A typical troll saying stupid things. So, fans of a team should stop being fans if they go through a rebuild? Do you have a choice when the White Sox rebuild?? You Sox fans must have a lot of say in how the team is run. At least the few that show up to the park. That must be why they will always be the 2nd most popular MLB team in Chicago. Yes, even if they win a WS.
They signed Gordon to play for AAA
If Duffy and Hoerner end up needing more time on the IL, he’ll likely get the call up instead of any potential prospects.
2 innings and 5 walks, Miller would fit right in with the Cardinals!
Made of glass.