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Thielbar to IL; Lopez, Velasquez join Cubs bullpen

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Los Angeles: The Chicago Cubs placed left-hander Caleb Thielbar on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left hamstring strain after he was removed following one batter faced Thursday; the club also transferred right-hander Porter Hodge to the 60-day IL and designated infielder Scott Kingery for assignment. They called up Vince Velasquez and added Nicky Lopez to the 40-man roster. Chicago: The moves provide immediate roster flexibility for Friday's series opener, following the team's 6-4 win over the Dodgers and 10th straight victory; Lopez rejoined the major-league roster and Hodge's placement follows his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery, while the club will monitor Thielbar's recovery through the coming week.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

March 22 — Porter Hodge originally placed on the injured list with a right elbow strain and later underwent Tommy John surgery.
Thursday (this week) — Caleb Thielbar was removed from the game after facing one batter.
Friday (this week) — Cubs placed Thielbar on the 15-day IL with a left hamstring strain.
Friday (this week) — Porter Hodge transferred to the 60-day IL and Scott Kingery designated for assignment.
Friday (this week) — Cubs selected contracts of Nicky Lopez and Vince Velasquez from Triple-A Iowa and added them to the 40-man roster.

Why This Matters to You

These changes in the Cubs' lineup could impact the team's performance. If you're a fan, keep an eye on how Velasquez and Lopez perform. If you're into fantasy baseball, consider the potential of these new additions to your roster.

The Bottom Line

The Cubs are adapting to injuries and making strategic moves. It's a reminder that in baseball, as in life, the game goes on despite setbacks. Worth forwarding if you know a Cubs fan or a fantasy baseball player.