7:32 PM: Taylor McGregor further reports some additional moves for the Cubs: right-hander Vince Velasquez has been selected, and Caleb Thielbar was placed on the 15-day IL with a left hamstring strain. Additionally, Scott Kingery has been designated for assignment to open an additional spot on the 40-man roster.
6:28 PM: The Chicago Cubs have made a 40-man roster move in advance of tonight’s clash against the Dodgers, adding infielder Nicky Lopez and transferring Porter Hodge to the 60-day IL, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. Per the team’s official transaction page, Scott Kingery has also been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Lopez, acquired yesterday from the Rockies, did not have to wait long for his reunion with the Cubs. Lopez made 14 appearances with the Northsiders last season (interesting enough, his first appearance came almost a year ago to the day). Now entering his seventh MLB season, Lopez has made a name for himself with solid glovework at multiple infield positions. The bulk of his work has come at 2B (2561 1/3 innings) and SS (2351 1/3 innings), though defensive metrics like DRS (-9) and FRV (-1) have soured on his glove at short to varying degrees in his last three seasons of work. Both metrics, however, look favorably on his work at the keystone (3 DRS/6 FRV) and the hot corner (5 DRS/4 FRV) since 2023.
The versatility will help Counsell give the starters a day off and a lefty bat to play with in the lineup or off the bench. To be certain, Lopez doesn’t break the mold of a traditional, light-hitting utilityman. His career 73 wRC+ (100 is average) indicates he’s below-average at the plate, but to his credit, Lopez controls the zone relatively well with a low strikeout rate (14.3%). He hits for little power, and the speed he showcased in his Royals heyday (35/39 SB from 2021-2022) now clocks in closer to league average. Still, Lopez clearly made a good enough impression on the clubhouse and management last season to warrant a second bite of the apple.
To make room on the 40-man, Hodge was moved to the 60-day IL following UCL surgery. Given that Hodge won’t make any further appearances in 2026, this move is largely a formality.
More to come.
Kingery played himself out of a job with the two errors in one game. Craig said nope 🤣
Scotty doesn’t know… How to play defense. It’s also had been over 5 years since he played 3B in MLB.
Taylor McGregor doing her thing.
Last night at Fernando Mendoza’s house. Tonight with Nicky Lopez news.
Now that is versatility at her best!!!
She’s great, but Boog creeps me out with the banter he tries to engage her with at times.
WS tickets are now available at 1060 W. Addison, Chicago IL*
*Or not. No need to overreact since there’s still about 135 games left in the 2026 Championship Season.**
**Go ahead ya Negative Cub Panicans….bet the house!***
*** Or the She-Shed, no one cares. It’s just one of the many minor deals teams make in the average MLB season****
**** At least Nicky is versatile, and is familiar with the Wrigley Field bathrooms and can probably play at least play league-average defense.
The return of Naperville Nicky
What a great selection by the Cubs.
About time Velasquez gets called up he had a good enough year in AAA last year it got him a deal in Korea to end the season. I doubt he has much longevity with the team but I think he could be a nice waiver claim for somebody once his time is up to be a nice inning eater.