The Chicago Cubs are locked into a first-round Wild Card Series series with the San Diego Padres and they’re looking to get their roster to full strength.
First and foremost, that will require a healthy return from outfield superstar Kyle Tucker, who has spent more than three weeks on the injured list with a calf strain. On Friday, the team announced Tucker would be returning to the lineup, though they had to relegate a 16-year veteran in order to make room for him on the roster.
“The Cubs have officially activated Tucker from the injured list,” according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors. “In a corresponding move, veteran first baseman Carlos Santana has consented to be optioned.”
Because of Santana’s long career in the majors, the Cubs wouldn’t be allowed to move him to the minors without his consent. He has been a Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award winner as well as an All-Star in his career, but Santana has been a bit of a disappointment since joining the Cubs.
He is slashing just .105/.105/.158 in only 19 at-bats since joining the team after slashing .225/.316/.333 in 116 games with the Cleveland Guardians earlier this season. Now Santana will be part of the taxi squad for the playoffs, but it seems unlikely that he will get much of a chance to contribute to what the team is hoping will be a run all the way to the World Series.
If the Cubs are hoping to reach the Fall Classic, Tucker will have to return to the All-Star form he enjoyed to start this campaign. After a significant injury, it’s an open question whether or not he can carry the Cubs offense for the remainder of the year.
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