The Cubs continued to make moves ahead of Friday’s trade deadline as they sent right-hander Ryan Tepera to the White Sox in exchange for minor leaguer Bailey Horn.
Tepera, 33, was one of the pillars in the Cubs’ bullpen this season along with recently traded lefty Andrew Chafin and closer Craig Kimbrel. The right-hander was having a career season with a 2.91 ERA in 43 games this season.
Horn is 2-3 with a 5.63 ERA in 10 starts at High-A Winston Salem.
Hoerner (oblique) lands on the injured list
The Cubs placed second baseman Nico Hoerner on the 10-day injured list before Thursday’s series finale against the Reds with a right oblique strain. Hoerner injured the oblique during the seventh inning of Wednesday’s loss to on a check swing. Hoerner grimaced in pain as he walked back to the dugout and walked directly into the clubhouse.
“He worked really hard this offseason,” Ross told reporters. “You saw how he changed his body, the muscle he put on, how he plays the game, what his expectations for himself are. It’s a big loss for our team when he’s not out there.”
It’s been a tough season for the Cubs’ young second baseman on the injury front and after missing time in May after his collision with outfielder Ian Happ and left hamstring strain that cost him 35 games, he will now have his third stint on the injured list this season.
Hoerner is slashing .313/.388/.388 with 10 doubles and has been one of the National League’s elite defensive second baseman. The Cubs recalled infielder Sergio Alcantara to take his place on the roster.
The Cubs also put right-hander Dillon Maples on the 10-day IL with a blister on his right middle finger. Maples, 29, has a 2.28 ERA in 24 games this season. Right-hander Trevor Megill was recalled to take his spot on the roster. Megill has a 11.57 ERA in seven appearances this season,
The Cubs had a flurry of other roster moves on Thursday as the team optioned right-hander Cory Abbott to Triple-A Iowa and selected the contract of right-hander Jake Jewell. Jewell, 28, has big-league experience most recently with the Angels in 2019. The right-hander has had a strong year in Iowa and is 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 23 games. To make room for Jewell on the 40-man roster, right-hander Kohl Stewart was placed on the 60-day IL.
