Cubs injuries and roster moves

Smyly, 34, has made nine relief appearances for the Cubs this season, going 2-2 with a 4.97 ERA.

Cooper, 33, signed with the Cubs as a Minor League free agent April 2. The infielder made Chicago’s Opening Day roster and batted .270 with one double, one triple, one home run and six RBIs in 12 games.

The 26-year-old Mervis entered the 2024 season as the Cubs No. 15 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He is hitting .288 (19-for-66) in 18 games with Triple-A Iowa this season. His five home runs lead the I-Cubs and his 13 RBIs are tied for the team lead.

Little, 23, has made eight appearances (one start) for the Cubs in 2024, posting a 2.35 ERA.

Wesneski, 26, was recalled April 17 by the Cubs and earned the win in Arizona, tossing four scoreless innings in relief with two strikeouts in his only Cubs appearance this season. He was returned to Iowa April 18 and has made three appearances (two starts) this season for the I-Cubs, posting a 1-0 record with 2.53 ERA and 10 strikeouts.

April 21: LF Ian Happ still nursing tight left hamstring
Happ remained out of the Cubs’ lineup on Sunday after sitting out Saturday’s twin bill against the Marlins and exiting Friday’s game early. The outfielder has been dealing with left hamstring tightness (similar to what he experienced early in Spring Training) and said Sunday he is hopeful he can return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Astros.

“I just didn’t feel like pushing it for these next couple of days, with where the team’s at, where we’re at,” Happ said on Sunday. “[I wanted to] get enough rest with the off-day coming up [Monday] to get back to 100 percent. I feel good. I feel really good. I’m probably available at some point today, if the situation presents itself.”

April 21: LHP Luke Little returned to Triple-A Iowa
Little was promoted from Triple-A on Saturday to serve as the 27^th man for the Cubs’ doubleheader against Miami. The big lefty logged one inning in Game 1, giving him a 2.35 ERA in eight outings for Chicago this season. He was sent back to the I-Cubs prior to Sunday’s game.

LHP Justin Steele (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: May
Steele completed a live BP session on April 21 at Wrigley Field and manager Craig Counsell said everything went well. Steele’s next outing will be in an extended-spring-game setting in Arizona on April 26. This latest step follows a build-up over the past two weeks that has included volume on flat ground (April 9), multiple bullpen sessions (April 8 and April 16) and a stop in the Cubs’ pitch lab in Arizona (April 16). A Minor League rehab assignment could be coming soon.

On March 30, the Cubs announced that the pitcher had a Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring. Steele exited his Opening Day outing against the Rangers on March 28 after 4 2/3 innings due to the injury. While fielding a bunt and flipping the ball to first base, Steele said he “felt something grab” in his leg and he exited after 67 pitches. (Last updated: April 21)

OF Seiya Suzuki (right oblique strain)
Expected return: Mid-May
Suzuki resumed some light baseball activities (running/throwing) on April 21 at Wrigley Field. On April 14 in Seattle, the outfielder injured his side while running down to first base in his final at-bat, leading to his placement on the 10-day IL on April 15. This is the second oblique injury Suzuki has sustained in as many seasons — he missed six weeks last season after straining his left oblique. On April 16, Counsell suggested a rough timeline of four weeks for Suzuki to return to action from the latest oblique issue.

“When we get him symptom-free, we’ll know. But we’ve got to get him symptom-free,” Counsell said. “The guess right now, which is not always great, is about four weeks to be back on the field.” (Last updated: April 21)

RHP Julian Merryweather (rib stress fracture in back)
Expected return: TBD
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on April 8 that imaging revealed that the 32-year-old Merryweather was dealing with a rib stress fracture in his back. The pitcher will be shut down for four weeks before being re-evaluated, making the timetable for return unclear at this stage. Merryweather was placed on the 15-day IL (retroactive to April 6) prior to Chicago’s April 7 game against the Dodgers, and transferred to the 60-day IL on April 17, meaning he’ll be out until at least early June.

Merryweather had a 1.93 ERA with six strikeouts and two walks through four outings (4 2/3 innings) this season. (Last updated: April 17)

RHP Caleb Kilian (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: July
Kilian left his March 5 start against the Royals in the third inning and an MRI exam revealed a strain of the teres major in his throwing shoulder. The 26-year-old pitching prospect — acquired from the Giants as part of the Kris Bryant trade in 2021 — is unlikely to return to game action until July, per manager Craig Counsell. The righty had a 1.50 ERA in three Cactus League outings this spring. In ’23, Kilian made three appearances for the Cubs and went 8-3 with a 4.56 ERA in 120 1/3 innings for Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs placed him on the 60-day IL on March 28. (Last updated: March 28)