The Cubs doubleheader against the Brewers Monday – a long day after a 12-inning game the day before – started with celebration.
“It’s been a morning of congratulating all the guys for being up here,” Cubs manager David Ross said after a series of call-ups. “Happy for a lot of those guys that have put in the hard work and who you get to reward to come up in an environment like today, beautiful day on a holiday weekend.”
Game 1, which the Cubs lost 7-6, featured starting pitchers making their MLB debuts on both sides: right-hander Matt Swarmer for the Cubs and lefty Ethan Small for the Brewers.
“Reports are he’s been throwing the ball really well,” Ross said of Swarmer. “He’s made some adjustments in his game a little bit and is off to a good season – without giving anything away before the game.”
In a solid debut, Swarmer threw six innings, allowing four runs but only one earned run. He gave up two home runs.
Cubs outfielder Nelson Velázquez also debuted, starting in right field in both games as Seiya Suzuki continues to deal with a sprained left ring finger. Velázquez beat out a soft ground ball to the right side of the field for a single in his first major-league at-bat.
Right-hander Anderson Espinoza was available out of the bullpen as the Cubs’ 27th man for the doubleheader.
The Cubs already had an open spot on the active roster, after placing reliever Chris Martin on the bereavement list Sunday. On Monday, they placed infielder Jonathan Villar on the 10-day IL with a mouth injury, retroactive to Friday.
Villar will need significant dental work after an exercise band snapped back and hit him in the mouth while working out.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Swarmer, the Cubs transferred reliever Ethan Roberts (right shoulder inflammation) from the 10-day IL to the 60-day.
‘Not good’
Suzuki, who has been out of the lineup since spraining his finger on Thursday in Cincinnati, was scheduled to hit Monday morning to test the injury.
“If it’s something that is still bothering him,” Ross said before Game 1, “we’ll have to assess that and make some decisions today.”
Between games, when asked how Suzuki came out of his morning work, Ross said, “not good.”
Suzuki threw with an athletic trainer between games but had his interpreter, Toy Matsushita, catch for him. Considering how many games the Cubs have ahead of them, with no off days between Monday and another doubleheader Saturday, Suzuki is likely headed to the IL.
Crow-Armstrong promoted
The Cubs promoted outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, their No. 3 prospect as ranked by MLB Pipeline, to High-A South Bend on Monday.
Crow-Armstrong was hitting .354 in Low-A Myrtle Beach, with 13 stolen bases.
