Happ (knee) remains out on Monday

Happ played two innings in left field today after missing Sunday’s game with knee discomfort. Assuming no setbacks, he’ll probably return to the starting lineup on Tuesday against Jacob Misiorowski.

Tyrone Taylor replaced him in left field and will bat ninth for the Cubs in Sunday’s finale against the Marlins. The knee issue for Happ isn’t believed to be serious and the 32-year-old outfielder is considered day-to-day.

Happ delivered a two-out, two-run single in the third inning that extended the Cubs’ early lead to 3-0. He also singled and walked in the contest. For the season, the 32-year-old outfielder is hitting .221/.326/.416 with 23 homers, 64 RBI and four stolen bases in 577 plate appearances.

Happ took Brandon Pfaadt deep for a three-run shot to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead and ultimately a win. It’s the 23rd homer of the season for Happ, and he’s driven in 61 runs. Of those 23 homers, 19 of them have come against right-handed pitching, and one can’t help but wonder how much better his slash would look if he didn’t have to face southpaws.

Happ was one of two Cubs to drive in five runs — joining Pedro Ramírez — in a 19-2 shellacking of the Mariners. He hit one of two grand salamis — the other also by Ramírez — on the day, with his coming in the third inning off Bryce Miller. Happ has now plated 57 runners, and he’s up to 22 homers. Those numbers aren’t without their charm, but that .218 average leaves a lot to be desired.

Happ’s homer was a two-run shot in the sixth, one of 18 hits Chicago recorded in Kansas City. He’s also gone deep in back-to-back games. Happ now has 20 homers for the fourth consecutive season, and he has a real shot at a career high. He’s maxed out at 25 in both 2021 and 2024.

Taylor provides Chicago with a reliable lefty-mashing backup outfielder heading into the home stretch. He’s been sizzling hot ever since returning from the injured list back in late June, hitting .354 with seven homers in 24 games.

This is a big one. Chicago came into the trade deadline desperately seeking starting pitching help and they’ve seemingly came away with Holmes in addition to veteran Kevin Gausman. They paid a steep price to land the impending free agent as Rojas is one of their better infield prospects. The emergence of Pedro Ramírez as an everyday option at the highest level seems to be what made him expendable. Holmes looked sharp in a pair of recent minor league rehab outings and should step into Chicago’s new-look rotation by mid-August, if not sooner. Taylor feels like a throw-in, but he’s been sizzling-hot at the dish lately and provides the Cubs with a lefty-mashing bench option for the home stretch.

The Mets likely only want Robert Jr. to play in one game of the doubleheader, thanks to his checkered injury history, so they will opt to play him in Game 2 against left-hander Chris Sale. Tyrone Taylor will start in left field and bat seventh.

Taylor’s home run was his ninth of the year. He hit a three-run shot off Connor Thomas, the pitcher the Braves decided to let wear it as he allowed 11 runs in relief. With an .872 OPS against left-handed pitching this season, Taylor could be a trade target for a team needing a right-handed bat.