As you know, Dansby Swanson left Sunday’s game after taking an awkward swing [VIDEO].
Your browser does not support the video tag.That didn’t look good when it happened and after the game it was announced that Swanson had suffered an oblique strain and would be placed on the injured list. Swanson had an MRI today:
Cubs news: Hearing it’s a Grade 2 oblique strain for Dansby Swanson, per a source. Normal timetable is 4-6 weeks. That would have him ready for the postseason.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 17, 2026
That’s probably the best case scenario. Hopefully he’ll be 100 percent by October.
Today, the IL placement was made official. The team also placed right-hander Edward Cabrera back on the IL with a blister. In addition, Javier Assad was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Many here have clamored for Assad to be kept on the active roster and now he’s back! This also likely means David Peterson will return to the rotation.
Here are the other moves made Monday. James Triantos was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
To replace Swanson and Triantos on the 26-man active roster, outfielder Kevin Alcántara and infielder Owen Miller were recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Alcántara has battted .238/.304/.381 (5-for-21) with one home run in 20 games for the Cubs, and .271/.363/.542 with 19 home runs in 69 games for Iowa. With this move, Nico Hoerner likely plays shortstop and Pedro Ramirez second base, with Miller as the primary backup infielder, at least until Matt Shaw is ready to return.
Miller is batting .296/.350/.457 with 10 stolen bases in 96 games for Iowa this year, and also has 303 games of MLB experience between 2021 and 2025 with Cleveland, Milwaukee and Colorado. To make room on the 40-man roster for Miller, right-hander Daniel Palencia was moved to the 60-day injured list. Miller will give the Cubs an additional backup option at shortstop.
As always, we await developments. Today’s game preview will post at 5 p.m. CT.