The Cubs received good news on Monday as outfielder Jason Heyward was feeling better after being removed from Sunday’s 7-3 loss.
Heyward was removed during the fifth inning of Sunday’s game against the Cardinals after experiencing lightheadedness and shortness of breath. He was taken to a local hospital where he underwent a variety of tests, including tests for COVID-19.
Manager David Ross says Heyward has not tested positive for coronavirus and was released from the hospital Sunday night.
“I talked to him last night and this morning, seems to be feeling much better,” Ross said. “Lots of tests [were] run last night at the hospital. He’ll have the day off today. Got a couple more tests to go tomorrow, but right now everything seems to be on the up and up. We’ll dot the I’s cross the T’s further, per doc tomorrow morning and just make sure everything’s fine. But right now, [he] seems to be okay.
Heyward has been the Cubs second-best hitter this season behind center fielder Ian Happ. The Cubs’ right fielder has a .300/.415/.540 slash line with five homers and 17 RBIs in 35 games this season.
Chatwood, Quintana to begin throwing programs
Right hander Tyler Chatwood and left-hander Jose Quintana are progressing from their respective injuries. Chatwood began his throwing program on Monday and Quintana will start his program on Tuesday.
Chatwood was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sept. 1 with a right forearm strain and Quintana on Sept. 2 with left lat inflammation.
Cubs make flurry of roster moves
The Cubs added infielder Ildemaro Vargas to the active roster prior to Monday’s game and claimed fleet-footed outfielder Billy Hamilton off waivers from the Mets. The team optioned left-hander Matt Dermody and designated him for assignment to make room for Hamilton on the 40-man roster.
The Cubs’s also made the signing of longtime reliever Pedro Strop official. He will report to alternate site South Bend. Right-hander Duncan Robinson was added to the 60-man roster and will also report to South Bend.
Catcher Jose Lobaton, who was in South Bend on a minor-league deal, was released.
The Cubs’ 60-man player pool now stands at 59 players with 28 active players on the Major League roster (plus three players on the 10-day injured list) plus Hamilton and 27 players in South Bend.
