Chicago Cubs

Jameson Taillon

SP

Though Taillon joined the team in Baltimore for the start of their six-game road trip, Counsell said that the right-hander won't be activated this week unless the Cubs lose one of their healthy starters to an injury and have to adjust the rotation on the fly. Assuming Taillon isn't needed, he'll report to an affiliate over the weekend to make the second start of his rehab assignment, then make his return from the IL following the All-Star break. Taillon made his first rehab start this past Sunday at High-A South Bend, tossing 3.1 innings and 45 pitches (32 strikes) while striking out two and allowing one run on four hits and zero walks.

Edward Cabrera

SP

Cabrera is limited to playing catch, but after the Cubs came away encouraged by how his strained hamstring responded over the weekend, he could advance to throwing off a mound later this week before the team heads into the All-Star break. The right-hander probably won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list immediately coming out of the break, but he'll have a shot at rejoining the Chicago rotation before the end of July if he steers clear of any setbacks with his hamstring while building back up.

Matt Shaw

RF

Shaw landed on the injured list June 29 due to a sprained left hand. The initial expectation was that the 24-year-old could return when first eligible July 9, but he's now slated to miss at least a bit more time than that. Seiya Suzuki, Michael Conforto and Kevin Alcantara have all gotten starts in right field since Shaw went down.

Ethan Roberts

RP

Roberts has allowed five runs (four earned) over his last three appearances out of the Chicago bullpen. His recent struggles may have been linked to the forearm injury, and by going on the 15-day IL, he'll be shelved until at least after the All-Star break in mid-July. Gavin Hollowell was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to give the Cubs more depth out of the bullpen in Roberts' absence.

Justin Steele

SP

Steele began a throwing program in late June, and although he's started to increase the intensity of his throwing sessions, the Cubs will hold off on having him throw off a mound until the first week of August. The left-hander won't have enough time to build up as a starter, but he could work as a reliever in the late stages of the season.