Chicago Cubs Give Encouraging Injury Updates Ahead of Pirates Matchup

Cody Bellinger, Justin Steele and Edwin Rios are all a little closer to getting back on the active roster.

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

If the Chicago Cubs hope to get back into the race for the National League Central, it starts with getting healthy. And the Cubs got some encouraging news on that front on Tuesday.

The Cubs (28-37) are hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates (34-30) on Tuesday and before the game manager David Ross updated the media on the status of outfielder Cody Bellinger, designated hitter Edwin Ríos, pitcher Justin Steele and pitcher Brandon Hughes.

He also announced that outfielder Miles Mastrobuoni was being called up to the Cubs.

Bellinger, who has been on the 10-day injured list since May 19 with a left knee contusion, will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. He is eligible to be activated when ready. The Cubs have missed his offense, as he was slashing .271/.337/.493/.830 with seven home runs and 20 RBI before the injury.

Steele threw a bullpen on Tuesday as he works back from the 15-day injured list after a left forearm strain. Steele has been a bright spot in the Cubs’ rotation, as he’s 6-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 12 starts. He’s struck out 58 and walked 16.

Ríos is doing baseball activities as he makes his way back from the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain. The Cubs moved him there on June 7, but it was retroactive to June 4. He was batting less than .100 before the injury.

Hughes moved to the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation, retroactive to June 12. The left-hander was 0-3 in 17 games (all in relief) with a 7.20 ERA.

Mastrobuoni returns from Triple-A Iowa, where the Cubs sent him on June 9. This is his second recall to the Cubs this season and he’s slashing .161/.266/.196/.462 in 26 MLB games (56 at-bats).