Cubs place rookie RF Jorge Soler (ankle) on DL
The Chicago Cubsplaced rookie rightfielder Jorge Soler on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday with a left ankle sprain.
Infielder/outfielder Mike Baxter was recalled from Triple A Iowa in his place.
Soler was held out of Tuesday’s 5–2 loss to the Marlins in Miami with the injury, one day after he sustained it while trying to beat out a grounder in Monday’s game. The rookie remained in the game, a 5–1 Cubs win, but manager Joe Maddon said the injury worsened overnight.
“If [the injury’s] going to be relatively short, I don’t think it’s wise to DL him,” Maddon told reporters before Tuesday’s game. “A guy like him, one or two days at the most might be plenty ... I liked his at-bats and I liked him tracking down the balls in the right-field corner ... I think he’s been playing really well.”
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With Soler out, rookie Kris Bryant played left field for the first time.
Before Tuesday, Soler had not missed a game this season. Over 49 games, he is batting .265 with four home runs, 19 RBIs and a .724 OPS. His 50 hits also led all National League rookies.
Baxter has appeared in 10 games for the Cubs this season, going 1-for-9 at the plate. Over 34 games at Triple A Iowa, he hit .290 with four doubles, eight RBIs and a .707 OPS.
- Mike Fiammetta
