Marlon Byrd flew back to Chicago with his teammates Sunday night after rejoining them in the clubhouse following the finale against the Red Sox. Byrd was reportedly in good spirits despite multiple fractures to his face and significant swelling. Byrd was scheduled to see specialists Monday as the doctors try to determine the extent of his injuries … which might take a couple of days until the swelling subsides. Byrd is not sure when he will be able to return to the field and admitted he’s hopeful to return this season.
Byrd told the Sun-Times, “Sometime this season. Whenever I heal. I don’t want to go out there and make it worse.”
The Cubs are expected to make at least two roster moves prior to Tuesday’s game against the Mets. Luis Montanez appears be on his way to Chicago after being a late scratch in Iowa on Monday night. To add Montanez to the active roster, the Cubs will have to create room on the 40-man roster, which currently stands at 40.
The Cubs received good news on Brett Jackson and Geovany Soto … here’s the update. Where’s the Power?
Alfonso Soriano has not hit a home run since May 2 and has not driven in a run since May 11. Soriano still leads the team in both categories (11 home runs, 23 RBI).
Aramis Ramirez has one home run on the season (April 6) and 17 RBI. Ramirez’s RBI single in the third inning Saturday night was his first hit and RBI of the season with two outs and RISP (1-for-20 with three walks).
Cubs Win Awards Down on the Farm
Ryan Flaherty and Robert Whitenack were named Southern League Player and Pitcher of the week on Monday (May 16 – May 23).
Ryan Flaherty was 10-for-22 with two home runs and 11 RBI for the week. Flaherty extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single on Monday night. Robert Whitenack was promoted to Double-A Tennessee on April 27 and is 4-0 since with a 2.57 ERA in six starts. Whitenack was 1-0 in two starts during the week.
Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto has been at Fitch Park rehabbing since May 16 and could return from the DL on May 26 or May 27. During Sunday’s pre-game show, Mike Quade indicated Soto appears to be on track to return on time from the disabled list. The Cubs placed Soto on the 15-day DL on May 11 with a left groin strain.
Brett Jackson
According to tweets from Bruce Miles and Peter Jackson (Brett’s father), Brett Jackson is working in Arizona and getting at bats in a “controlled environment.” Jackson is nearly pain free and is expected to return to the Smokies’ lineup on Friday.
Cubs M.A.S.H. Unit
The Cubs are expected to know more on the status of Jeff Baker’s left groin strain and Matt Garza’s sore right elbow.
Jeff Baker strained his left groin in the seventh inning of Sunday night’s game as was lifted for pinch runner Tony Campana. Baker down played the injury and said he would be ready to face lefty Jon Niese on Tuesday night.
Matt Garza was scheduled to meet with team physicians Monday after complaining of tightness in his right elbow Saturday afternoon. Garza was expected to miss only one start and, like Baker, down played the injury.
The Cubs already have Randy Wells, Andrew Cashner, Geovany Soto and Marlon Byrd on the 15-day DL. Wells and Soto appear to be close to returning but there is no timetable for either Cashner or Byrd.
As for a possible recall of Tyler Colvin, the Cubs cannot recall Colvin until May 27 after optioning him to Iowa on May 17. The Cubs would have to place another player on the DL in order to recall Colvin.
Well, there’s the update … and I’m sticking to it!
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