Chicago

Cubs

Alcántara will head back to the minors with Matt Shaw coming off the injured list for Tuesday’s series opener against the Rockies. The 23-year-old top prospect entered Sunday’s series finale against the Giants as a pinch-runner and made a costly baserunning mistake, getting hung up between third base and home plate, which resulted in a double play. He figures to get another shot with the Cubs later this summer based on his impressive power numbers at the Triple-A level this year.

Núñez had a 15.75 ERA in four innings at Triple-A this season and posted a 7.11 ERA in 10 appearances over 12 2/3 innings for the Athletics and Padres last season, while walking 11. The Cubs will be the next team to try to fix his command.

Shaw has been out with back tightness since May 22nd and formally began his rehab assignment at Triple-A on June 3rd. He will likely return to his super utility role, which makes it hard to roster him in fantasy leagues.

What a great effort from Assad, who still seemed to have something left in the tank while being removed after 72 pitches. He’s going to need at least three and probably four days off, so most likely, his reward for tonight will be a return to Triple-A Iowa’s roster. But if the Cubs put Taillon on the IL and bring in a fresh arm that way, perhaps there’s the chance Assad could stick.

The Cubs just gave Dansby Swanson a two-day break, but Bregman is probably more worthy of being held out of the lineup. He’s hit .243/.327/.342 with just 19 RBI in 297 plate appearances. In 75 at-bats with runners in scoring position, he’s hit .173 with a lone double as his only extra-base hit.

Taillon seems likely to land on the injured list. The Cubs are about to get Matthew Boyd back from his knee issue, so that’s something. Colin Rea would no longer be in danger of being replaced in the rotation with Taillon out.

Taillon signaled to the trainer immediately after completing a six-pitch walk to Matt Chapman to open the second. Based on the way he tried to stretch out for a moment, it seemed to be a back or leg issue, but he didn’t make any argument for staying in the game.

Kelly had a 5.14 ERA and a 22/19 K/BB in 21 innings out of the pen for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty common walk rate for Kelly, which is why he’s yet to pitch in the majors despite being added to the Rangers’ 40-man roster after the 2023 season and getting claimed off waivers by the Rockies in July 2024. He figures to remain in Triple-A with the Cubs.

The 30-year-old right-hander elected free agency from the Rays on Tuesday rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham. Wantz allowed five runs over 1 2/3 innings in his lone appearance in the big leagues this season. He’ll add extra bullpen depth for the Cubs at Triple-A Iowa.

Crow-Armstrong kept the Cubs alive, with his second homer tying things up with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. After a scoreless top of the 10th, the Cubs won the game right away on a Michael Busch single and an error in the bottom of the inning. Automatic runner Dansby Swanson was going to be held at third on the shot to right, but Victor Bericoto booted the ball to allow Swanson to score. PCA now has four homers in his last four games and an 11-game hitting streak. He’s up to .259/.343/.449 for the season.