Dansby Swanson starting rehab assignment

Chicago manager Craig Counsell will stick with a near-identical lineup, with the exception of Matt Shaw at the hot corner instead of Pedro Ramírez, after Tuesday’s unexpected Game 1 shutout loss at the hands of Michael King and the Padres. Crow-Armstrong struck out three times in four plate appearances in that defeat. Here’s the full lineup: Crow-Armstrong (CF), Alex Bregman (DH), Michael Busch (1B), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Nico Hoerner (2B), Matt Shaw (3B), Carson Kelly (C) and Dansby Swanson (SS).

Bregman is ready for the start of the postseason after returning to Chicago’s lineup less than one week after suffering multiple facial fractures when he was hit by a foul ball in the on-deck circle. It’ll be rookie Pedro Ramírez filling in at the hot corner with Bregman limited to DH as he continues to recover. Here’s the full lineup for Tuesday’s series opener in San Diego: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Bregman (DH), Michael Busch (1B), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Nico Hoerner (2B), Ramírez (3B), Carson Kelly (C) and Dansby Swanson (SS).

Swanson’s two-out, two-run single in the sixth inning brought home the only runs the Cubs would score in this loss to the Marlins. It tied the game at the moment, but Chicago’s bullpen would blow it later on. Alas, Swanson has now gone 4-for-15 with three runs scored and three RBI in four games since being activated off the injured list.

All signs point to Bregman, who went through a light workout prior to Tuesday’s game against the Marlins, avoiding a trip to the injured list. It’s an extremely positive update after he suffered multiple facial fractures when he was struck by a foul ball in the on-deck circle over the weekend. The 32-year-old third baseman is at least a couple days away from getting back into Chicago’s lineup, but it’s possible he’s back before the postseason gets underway next week. It’ll be rookie Pedro Ramírez taking over at the hot corner in his absence on Tuesday night.

It doesn’t sound like Bregman is going on the injured list for the final week of the regular season. However, he’s highly unlikely to be available in any capacity after being diagnosed with multiple facial fractures. The 32-year-old third baseman was injured in a freak accident where he was struck by a foul ball in the on-deck circle over the weekend. He’s aiming to make it back for the postseason. It’ll be rookie Pedro Ramírez taking over at the hot corner in his absence on Tuesday night.

It’s a massive relief that Bregman didn’t suffer any additional serious injuries when he was hurt in a freak accident while standing in the on-deck circle during Sunday’s game against the Reds. The 32-year-old third baseman was one of the hottest hitters in the game during the second half, hitting .296 (68-for-230) with 17 home runs and 48 RBI in 59 games following the All-Star break. It’s an unfortunate development for fantasy managers heading into the home stretch in rotisserie leagues, and head-to-head formats still running, but it sounds like there’s optimism that Bregman will be able to return at some point during Chicago’s upcoming postseason run. It’ll likely be a combination of Pedro Ramírez and Matt Shaw handling the hot corner in his absence.

The Cubs are just easing Swanson back into action and giving him a day to recover after starting the first two games following his return from the injured list on Friday. He should be available off the bench if needed on Sunday. Nico Hoerner will slide over and cover shortstop while Pedro Ramirez starts at second base and will bat eighth against Reds’ right-hander Rhett Lowder.

Swanson delivered a 92-mph single off Cincinnati reliever Tejay Antone in the eighth inning. He also drew a walk, reaching base safely in two of his four plate appearances in his return following a one-month absence with a left oblique strain. The 32-year-old shortstop is going to finish as a top-12 range option at the position on the strength of 18 homers and 17 steals in 462 plate appearances.

Swanson will take back over an every day role for the last week and change of the season. The low batting average has taken its toll on Swanson’s fantasy value, as he’s hitting .216/.300/.404 with 18 homers and 17 stolen bases. Still, he could be useful in deeper leagues for the final bit of the season.

Michael Busch and Ramírez homered off Paul Skenes in the first two innings. Those were the Cubs’ only runs until the eighth, when Gregory Soto lost the strike zone and forced in tying run with a bases-loaded walk and then the go-ahead run with a HBP. Ramírez opened that inning with a double and scored the first run. He’s batting .266/.323/.433 through 224 plate appearances. However, he could begin losing playing time in the second half of next week if Dansby Swanson is activated.