Lopez tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's 6-0 loss to the Royals, lowering his season ERA to 2.92. Lopez has turned the page from a poor 2023 campaign in which he recorded a 5.95 ERA for Orioles, Marlins and Twins. The veteran righty has been much better this year, particularly since joining the Cubs in June. Over 10.2 innings with his new team, Lopez has allowed just one run and struck out seven.
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Lopez tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's 6-0 loss to the Royals, lowering his season ERA to 2.92. Lopez has turned the page from a poor 2023 campaign in which he recorded a 5.95 ERA for Orioles, Marlins and Twins. The veteran righty has been much better this year, particularly since joining the Cubs in June. Over 10.2 innings with his new team, Lopez has allowed just one run and struck out seven.
Hendricks (2-9) allowed six runs on eight hits over five innings Friday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Royals. Hendricks worked through four scoreless frames before things unraveled in the fifth inning. Kansas City racked up six runs that inning, capped off by Salvador Perez's three-run shot. Hendricks has gone 1-5 with a 6.07 ERA over his last six outings. That stretch has actually lowered his season ERA to 6.95 across 80.1 innings. He's currently in line to start in Cincinnati next week.
Morel isn't in the Cubs' lineup for Friday's game against the Royals. Morel will get a day to clear his head Friday after going 0-for-6 with four strikeouts during Chicago's previous series against the Brewers. Miles Mastrobuoni will start at the hot corner instead while batting seventh.
Wicks (oblique) will throw a bullpen Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports. Wicks' recovery from a Grade 2 right oblique strain has gone more slowly than expected, but he'll throw off a mound Friday for the first time since being placed on the IL on June 15. Wicks becomes eligible to return from the 60-day IL in mid-August, but he may require more time to recover.
The Cubs transferred Brown (neck) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports. The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Christian Bethancourt. Brown now isn't eligible for activation until mid-August, but he hadn't seemed likely to return before then, anyway.
Thompson (ribs) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports. Thompson threw live batting practice Tuesday and has been given the green light for in-game action. The 29-year-old has been on the shelf since June 28 with a fractured right rib and should require multiple rehab appearances before rejoining the Cubs.
The Cubs selected Bethancourt's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports. Bethancourt will absorb the roster spot vacated by Tomas Nido (knee) and could share catching duties with Miguel Amaya while Nido recuperates. The 32-year-old slashed just .159/.198/.268 across 88 plate appearances with the Marlins earlier this season.
Neris (8-3) allowed a run on two hits over an inning of work to take the loss Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out two. Neris allowed his first run since June 17, snapping a streak of nine straight scoreless appearances, as Milwaukee prevailed 3-2 late. The veteran reliever endured a rough patch last month, but his recent strong play should keep him locked into Chicago's closer role despite Wednesday's hiccup. He now has a 3.79 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 38 strikeouts across 35.2 innings this season, to go along with a team-high 14 saves.
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