The Cubs’ high-powered offense is getting back its customary leadoff hitter after the club activated left fielder Ian Happ from the 10-day injured list as part of a series of roster moves prior to Tuesday’s game against the Marlins in Miami.
Chicago also placed right-handed reliever Porter Hodge on the 15-day IL (retroactive to Sunday) with a left oblique strain, optioned catcher/DH Moises Ballesteros (the Cubs’ No. 4 prospect) to Triple-A Iowa and recalled right-hander Ethan Roberts.
Happ had a short stay on the injured list with a left oblique strain. The 30-year-old, who last played May 9, is hitting .269 with three homers, 19 RBIs, 29 runs scored and a .745 OPS over 39 games this season, batting leadoff in every game.
Pete Crow-Armstrong filled in admirably as the team’s leadoff hitter when Happ was out, but he was dropped to sixth in the order on Tuesday.
With Happ back, Ballesteros was left without a clear path to playing time in the big leagues, prompting his return to the Minors. The 21-year-old prospect appeared in five games with the Cubs during his first taste of the Majors and went 3-for-16 (.188) with three RBIs and two walks.
Meanwhile, the Cubs’ bullpen will have to make do without Hodge for at least the rest of May. The 24-year-old has posted a 5.12 ERA with 19 K’s over 19 1/3 innings in 2025, though nine of his 11 earned runs came in two appearances.
Roberts, who made nine appearances with the Cubs earlier this season and recorded a 5.40 ERA, will take Hodge’s place in Chicago’s ’pen.
