On Tuesday, Cody Bellinger was activated off the IL by the Cubs and will rejoin the lineup as the team’s DH for Tuesday night’s game vs. the Padres. Daniel Palencia was also placed on the 15-day IL due to stiffness in his right throwing shoulder. Alexander Canario was optioned to Triple-A Iowa, while Keegan Thompson was simultaneously recalled from Iowa in corresponding moves, respectively.

Palencia struggled to start this season, with a 7.36 ERA (8 earned runs total), a 12/8 K/BB and 1.72 WHIP in 11 innings. Command has been the biggest problem in about every outing for him, and perhaps an IL stint will be helpful towards using the time to tweak his command in an effort to fix those problems. Thompson, meanwhile, had been optioned to Iowa just on Monday, but is now up again with the team in Chicago because of Palencia’s injury. It is Thompson’s 2nd call up from Triple-A. So far this season, he’s produced a 1-0 record, 3.38 ERA, 4 earned runs (7 total runs), 14 strikeouts, 4 walks and a 1.12 WHIP in 10 & 2/3rds innings across 7 games. He’s been an overall better producer in a Cubs bullpen that’s been the team’s weak point this year.

“We’re happy to have him back,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s been a really good offensive player in this league. He’s been off a little bit, but we’re confident that it was a short layoff and we can get him back into the swing of things quickly. Just getting him back’s a good feeling for everybody.”

Bellinger missed the Cubs’ previous 13 games because of fractured ribs after colliding with the Wrigley Field wall on April 23rd vs. Houston. Canario hadn’t garnered much playing time, with Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Mike Tauchman occupying the outfield spots for most games recently. Seiya Suzuki is now also on the horizon, starting a Triple-A rehab assignment Wednesday. He’s been on the shelf since April 15 due to a strain in his right oblique. No doubt, Bellinger will improve a Cubs lineup that’s held its own, as the team is 22-15 despite a flurry of injuries. Suzuki being on the mend will further bolster the lineup, and should solidify the Cubs’ spot as being a wild-card and perhaps division winning contender, as well.

Credit for stats and quote – http://www.baseballreference.com, MLB.com

Photo Credit; Instragram, Cubs Insider

***Are you interested in sports betting? If so make sure to use our promo code below where you can get your deposit matched (up to $1000), use promo code Sportz***

***Have you tried Dubby?? Are you looking for a Pre-Workout??
Use our promo code : WeLikeSportz for 10% off!