Ian Happ's recent hot streak for Triple-A Iowa convinced the Cubs to promote him.
Happ, 24, who had a combined 39 home runs and 112 RBIs over the last two seasons with the Cubs, will join them before Friday night's game against the Brewers, a source confirmed Thursday.
Happ, one of the last cuts of spring training, hit .333 (11 for 33) with three home runs, 10 runs, nine walks and only six strikeouts in his last 10 games. The last two seasons with the Cubs, he struck out 296 times in 751 at-bats.
"He stayed upbeat," general manager Jed Hoyer told flagship radio station WSCR-AM 670, adding that this is Happ's "best stretch so far" and that they've evaluated "process over results."
In 99 games with Iowa, Happ hit .242 with a .364 on-base percentage, 16 home runs and 53 RBIs. Happ struck out 113 times in 359 at-bats.
Happ's promotion was reported first by the Des Moines Register.
Happ can play the outfield, second and third base, which could make for an intriguing corresponding move. Infielder Daniel Descalso has played sparingly the last two months, and David Bote is hitting .212 since June 1 and only .194 overall against left-handers.
But after Thursday's day off, the Cubs are likely to demote a reliever to make room for Happ and go with a deeper bench for the Brewers series.
