Hoerner on IL; Simmons makes his Cubs debut
PHOENIX — The Cubs made a game-time decision Sunday, putting shortstop Nico Hoerner on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right ankle and activating shortstop Andrelton
Simmons.
Hoerner hurt the ankle in a collision with an umpire Wednesday in San Diego. He said he has been making progress each day since. On Saturday and Sunday, he tested his injury with light pregame drills.
“All of that stuff is going to give us some information,” manager David Ross said during Hoerner’s pregame work. “We’ll see what kind of report I get from the trainers.”
Hoerner’s IL move is retroactive to Thursday.
Simmons joined the active roster for the first time this season after signing with the Cubs this spring and starting the season on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation.
He traveled to Arizona from a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa. Simmons played six games with the I-Cubs to build up his workload. He went 2-for-24 but is better known for his defensive prowess.
Simmons took ground balls at second base and shortstop before the game
Asked how Simmons looked, bench coach Andy Green said: “He’s Andrelton Simmons. It’s go time.”
Simmons came on as a defensive replacement at short in the ninth inning.
In other injury news . . .
Right-hander Alec Mills is expected to throw live batting practice Tuesday. Mills began the season on the 10-day IL with a strained lower back, but a tight right quadriceps interrupted his rehab assignment late last month and delayed his recovery.
Outfielder Clint Frazier (appendicitis) and infielder David Bote (left shoulder surgery) are scheduled to begin rehab assignments in the next few days.
While Frazier can rejoin the team whenever he’s ready, Bote isn’t eligible to return from the 60-day IL until June 6.
Rookie reliever Ethan Roberts’ light throwing session Saturday went well, according to the team, with no issues. Roberts is on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation.
Left-hander Sean Newcomb (sprained left ankle) threw off a mound Saturday.
He said he felt strong pushing off the pitching rubber.
High mark
Left-hander Justin Steele set a career high with 10 strikeouts in the Cubs’ 3-2 victory against the Diamondbacks. He became the first Cubs starter with double-digit strikeouts since Kyle Hendricks in September 2020.
Steele threw six innings for the first time this season, allowing two runs, one earned.